Swiss juvenile justice: custody for young people becomes possible

Anyone who commits murder between 16 and 18 years of age can be held in custody under the Jugendscriminal sanction.

From 1 July 2025, young people who have committed murder between 16 and 18 years of age may be held under certain conditions under the Juvenile Penal Code.

On 26 March, the Senate adopted with amendments the bill, transmitted by the National Assembly, to restore the authority of justice in respect of juvenile offenders and their parents. The Senate's work will have been marked by the establishment of an immediate court appearance mechanism from the age of 15, a mechanism derogating from the excuse of a minority, as well as the introduction of short prison sentences specific to juvenile offenders.