JUVENILE DELINQUENCY

Juvenile delinquency is one of the most important and pressing problems of society, which is influenced by the peculiarities of the mental and moral development of minors, as well as their social immaturity. Children constitute one of the least protected social groups; therefore, crime prevention is of utmost importance specifically in relation to minors – children and youth.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Braslav District, along with state authorities and services, has taken specific and necessary measures to prevent offenses and crimes committed by minors. However, an analysis of crimes committed by minors in the Braslav District in 2019 shows that, despite the preventive measures taken, the number of crimes committed by minors has increased compared to the same period in 2018. In 2019, minors committed 3 crimes (2018 – 2 crimes). All crimes committed by individuals under the age of eighteen are provided for by Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (theft), with 5 minors participating in these crimes, and in one case, the crime was committed by a group of individuals.

The number of offenses committed by adolescents due to alcohol consumption remains significant. In 2019, 31 minors were brought to administrative responsibility under Article 17.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus (drinking alcoholic beverages in public places or appearing in public places in a state of intoxication). In addition, employees of the Braslav District Police Department compiled 27 protocols on administrative offenses against adults who involved minors in antisocial behavior (2018 – 31 protocols).

The main reasons for the alcoholization of youth are family dysfunction, lack of proper parental control, and inaction of preventive entities.

The current situation requires immediate measures to be taken; therefore, the district prosecutor's office has intensified its work aimed at preventing crimes and offenses committed by minors in a state of alcohol intoxication and has issued relevant instructions to all interested authorities and services.

Deputy Prosecutor of the District                        S.P. Harbus