Концепція розвитку ювенальної юстиції в Україні

The concept of juvenile justice development in Ukraine requires significant improvements and normative clarification for effective implementation of justice concerning minors. The first and key step toward this is the adoption of a special law that will define the legal foundations of juvenile justice, which remains an unresolved issue. Despite the existence of a draft law, its adoption has not yet occurred. In addition, it is necessary to amend the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine to include clear mechanisms for the application of restorative justice for juvenile offenders. The problem is that, although mediation is an effective tool for working with minors, the legislation still does not contain the appropriate legal provisions for its regulation. Moreover, it is essential to consider the interests of juvenile victims and witnesses involved in the justice system within the juvenile justice concept. This requires the involvement of qualified juvenile specialists to work with these categories of individuals and create a justice system that considers children’s needs. Another important step is to establish effective specialized training for all participants in the juvenile justice process, including lawyers. Furthermore, it is necessary to strengthen the prevention of juvenile delinquency by developing a comprehensive system of preventive measures. The prevention system should be two-tiered, with global measures covering the entire country and targeted initiatives focused on specific social and psychological aspects. Targeted preventive measures should encompass educational, family, medical, and psychological areas, ensuring effective support for minors in conflict with the law. At the same time, implementing the approach «children first, offenders second» is an important step toward creating a fair and humane juvenile justice system. Special attention is required for the reintegration system for minors, which involves the development of standards and programs for the social adaptation of children returning to society after a conflict with the law. Involving communities in the reintegration process is crucial for the effectiveness of this work. Only through a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach can a successful model of juvenile justice be achieved in Ukraine, which will comply with international standards and ensure the protection of minors’ rights.