Suspicion of murder against 14-year-old: Too lenient punishment causes outrage!

Suspicion of murder against 14-year-old: Too lenient punishment causes outrage!

In Switzerland, the murder case of a 14-year-old girl is causing a stir and is reigniting the debate about juvenile criminal law. Emma is suspected of murdering her 15-year-old friend Sophie in Berikon on May 11th. The results of the investigation raise the question of the appropriateness of punishments for young people in Switzerland, where juvenile criminal law is considered strict compared to other countries. Loud 24heures.ch Emma could get away with a punishment of just three days of community service, which met with massive criticism from Sophie's mother. She feels the possible punishment is too mild and expresses a lack of understanding about the Swiss justice system.

Another important aspect is the possible compensation that Emma's parents would have to pay for non-pecuniary damage. These amounts can be up to 10,000 francs. The case not only raises questions about justice, but also sheds light on the future handling of juvenile crime in Switzerland. Experts such as Patrik Killer, president of the Swiss Society for Juvenile Justice, argue that severe punishments do not have a significant deterrent effect on young people.

The legal framework for young people

The National Council is currently planning a reform of the juvenile criminal law, which aims to introduce prison sentences for minors for serious crimes. RTS.ch highlights that six murders of minors and around 30 attempted murders were registered in Switzerland in 2022. As part of a phased internment measure, dangerous young people are to be locked up longer than currently after they have served their sentence. Critics of the measure, including some parliamentary representatives, fear high costs and doubt the effectiveness of internment. Jonathanrutschmann, an expert in criminal law, also warns of the long-term consequences that such an approach can have on the young people affected.

Swiss lawyers emphasize the educational approach to juvenile criminal law, which focuses on protection rather than punishment. This is no coincidence, as many young people are in a developmental process that is often characterized by psychological disorders that occur between the ages of 15 and 25. Sandrine Haymoz, Professor of Criminology, explains that serious behavioral problems are often recognizable in childhood. At the same time, there was an increase in youth violence in the canton of Zurich, which amounted to almost 12.8 percent in 2022, according to zh.ch. The numbers show that we are dealing with a complex issue that raises far-reaching social questions.

The social responsibility

But how does society view the increasing juvenile crime? The current development could be worrying. The accelerated increase in violent crimes among young people calls for a rethink, not only in the legal system, but also in social perception. Experts from various disciplines agree that comprehensive reflection on the causes of youth crime is essential in order to find lasting, effective solutions.

The Emma case will probably not only be discussed intensively in Switzerland. Rather, this is a sign that the issue of juvenile crime, which has many facets, concerns people and requires measures that maintain a sense of security in society while at the same time preserving the individual development of young people.