Sentencing juvenile imprisonment

Juveniles represent a sensitive category of delinquents, due to which they enjoy a special criminal-legal status. Their age necessitates different models of criminal-legal reaction in which educational measures dominate as the primary criminal sanctions. In exceptional cases, the legislator has prescribed possibilities for pronouncing a juvenile imprisonment sentence. This compassionate attitude towards juveniles stems from the fact that they are, as yet, psychologically and physically immature individuals. Hence, in literature, they are referred to as “delinquents in miniature” and “great criminals in waiting”. However, regardless of this “privileged” status, juveniles may be sentenced to juvenile imprisonment. Its specificity is reflected in the application of the principle of exceptionality in sentencing, a shorter duration, special general and specific rules for determining the sentence, as well as a special method of execution. The specificity of juvenile imprisonment particularly comes to the fore during sentencing. Special rules are applied here, with a simultaneous reference to the application of norms that relate to adults. Consequently, we consider it necessary to present the area of juvenile sentencing from the perspective of our legislator.