Sentencing of a minor under French criminal law

In the article, taking into account the changes in the French criminal legislation on criminal responsibility and punishment of minors, the opinions of French theorists and practitioners, the modern legislation of France regulating the imposition of punishments and the application of educational measures to minors is considered. The evolution of French criminal legislation is characterized by two main trends aimed at the predominance of educational or repressive measures of influence on juvenile offenders. The author concluded that the peculiarities of criminal justice in relation to minors are established by a separate law, which includes both procedural and material norms. The Juvenile Criminal Justice Code, which came into force in 2021, retains the priority of applying educational measures to juvenile offenders. With its adoption, educational measures are improved, the use of restorative justice against minors is legally enshrined, the law establishes the minimum age and specifies the conditions for bringing minors to criminal responsibility. The system of criminal penalties imposed on minors in France includes: a civil education course, community service, a fine and imprisonment.