Youth assistance in criminal proceedings (JuHiS)

The representatives of youth assistance in criminal proceedings bring, among other things, socio-pedagogical aspects into criminal proceedings before youth courts by reporting (in writing and orally) on the previous development of the accused in the proceedings or mediating in out-of-court proceedings (diversion). They influence the further course of the proceedings and organize and oversee court-ordered educational measures (§ 38 and § 50 JGG).

In the entire proceedings against a juvenile (aged 14–17 at the time of the offense) or young adult (18–20 years), youth assistance in criminal proceedings must be involved by the youth courts. For young adults, general criminal law (as for adults) or juvenile criminal law can be applied if a juvenile-type offense is present or the young adult is still on a juvenile stage of development. Youth assistance in criminal proceedings also comments on this.

Tasks of youth assistance in criminal proceedings

Youth assistance in criminal proceedings advises young offenders and their families, participates in court hearings, makes suggestions for educational measures in a possible verdict, and carries out post-court supervision (e.g., mediation and monitoring of social work hours or a traffic education course, visits to the correctional facility, implementation of a supervision order or a social training course, etc.).

JuHiS has various suggestions for educational measures, such as:

• Working hours, where the young person provides social aid services

• Offender-victim mediation

• Help with upbringing (HzE) measures

• Supervision orders, which provide individual support in cooperation with a social worker and other aids in difficult life situations

• Support for youth court assistance projects

• Mediation in traffic education courses

• Mediation in social group work in different forms, where mutual support is provided

• Mediation in anti-aggression training