Saxony pushes new procedure for child offenders after violent crime rise
Saxony's justice minister has proposed a formal 'responsibility procedure' for children under 14 who commit serious crimes, involving parents, prosecutors, and youth services. The state's submission to the upcoming conference of justice ministers also calls for a review of existing legal responses to youth violence.
Rising violent crime by children
The proposal comes amid what Saxony's justice minister Constanze Geiert (CDU) describes as a noticeable increase in serious violent acts committed by children not yet of criminal responsibility.
The increase in serious violent acts by children not yet of criminal responsibility shows that we must critically review and, if necessary, tighten existing instruments.
The proposed responsibility procedure
Geiert is advocating for a "so-called responsibility procedure" (Verantwortungsverfahren) for children under 14, which would involve the child, their parents, the public prosecutor's office, youth court assistance, and other parties. The procedure would mirror a criminal trial in structure without being one, aiming to ensure accountability and early intervention.
For me, a so-called responsibility procedure for children not yet of criminal responsibility is an appropriate approach to adequately address the rise in serious violent acts.
Saxony has submitted a motion to the conference of state justice ministers (Justizministerkonferenz) to examine whether existing legal reactions to violent crime by under-14s are sufficient. The motion also calls for strengthening parental responsibility and improving cooperation between the judiciary, youth services, and police.
Geiert argued that the goal must be to better protect children, prevent escalations early, and avoid the emergence of criminal careers.We must not react only when problematic developments have become entrenched.
Political fault lines
The initiative adds to an ongoing debate within Germany's political landscape. Geiert had already demanded a toughening of juvenile criminal law in April 2026, calling for the maximum sentence for juveniles convicted of murder, manslaughter, and serious violent acts to be raised from 10 to 15 years. Several politicians, particularly from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), have shown openness to discussing a lowering of the age of criminal responsibility, currently set at 14 in Germany.
Federal justice minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has pushed back, however.
It is an illusion that tougher punishments alone could deter potential perpetrators.
Criticism from child welfare advocates
The German Children's Fund (Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk) has also criticised the proposal, though the articles did not cite a direct statement from the organisation. The children's rights organisation's opposition adds another voice to the ongoing debate between punitive and preventive approaches in youth justice.
What comes next
The Saxony motion will be discussed at the next meeting of the state justice ministers. No date was specified, but the conference typically convenes twice a year. The outcome could influence federal-level policy, though any change to the age of criminal responsibility or procedural law would require national legislative action.
