Sanctions Against Juvenile Offenders: Do Stronger Offences Result in Harsher Penalties?

Swiss juvenile criminal law offers a wide range of sanctions, including the possibility to combine protective measures with penalties, as well as alternative procedures such as mediation. Although penalties remain the most common outcome, little is known about what kind of offences lead to which prosecutorial decisions. This study addresses this gap using data from the Zurich Project on Social Development from Childhood to Adulthood (z-proso). The analysis investigates the factors influencing involvement in juvenile prosecution and the severity of penalties imposed on young offenders. It also explores whether prosecutorial decisions align with the principles of Swiss juvenile law or reflect potential biases. The findings indicate that individual characteristics significantly affect both the likelihood and frequency of legal proceedings, whereas the severity of sanctions is primarily shaped by the nature of the offence and recidivism. Repeat offenders, in particular, are more likely to receive harsher penalties than first time offenders.