Juvenile in criminal proceedings in Russia

Introduction. A minor is a special subject of criminal procedural relations. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the CPC of the RF) provides for the participation of a minor both on the side of the prosecution and the defense. In addition, a minor in criminal proceedings may assist in the administration of justice by acting as a witness. Any of the statutory forms of participation of a minor in Russian criminal proceedings requires from officials of preliminary investigation bodies, prosecutor's office and court a differentiated approach to solving procedural issues, taking into account the specifics of a special subject of criminal procedural relations. Materials and Methods. The basis of the study was formed by domestic and foreign legislation, official statistical data, as well as law enforcement practice in the field of juvenile proceedings in Russia. To ensure a comprehensive legal analysis, formal-legal and comparative-legal methods of research were taken as a basis, which made it possible to comprehensively consider the issue under study. The Results of the Study. The conducted research has allowed to establish the specificity of proceedings in criminal cases involving minors, aimed at improving the guarantees of protection of the rights and legitimate interests of these participants in criminal proceedings. The results of the study open up opportunities for further scientific research on the issue, including applied research aimed at improving the development of juvenile technologies in the criminal procedural law of Russia. Findings and Conclusions. Changes in the activities of legal institutions, caused by the processes of globalization of world development, form a demand for updating the body of legal knowledge in various areas of criminal procedural law. One of the significant areas of application of criminal procedural norms is the proceedings in criminal cases involving minors. Due to the peculiarities of psycho-physiological development, this category of participants in criminal procedural relations requires the use of a differentiated approach to the provision and realization of their rights on the part of legislative and law enforcement bodies of the state.