DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

There are growing concerns that the law aimed at protecting minors is inadvertently becoming a shield for young offenders. The reasoning behind the law is simple: the government decided that age reflected maturity, and since their brains have yet to develop fully, they should be given second chances. However, this law, intended to protect the young, has backfired on adults.

Given the low risks, rebellious teenagers have been committing crimes repeatedly. Ranging from stealing to even murder, minors have been exempt from the punishments they should be receiving.

Lawyer Amadeo Peralta called for reform of the Juvenile Code. He says as it is, it provides excessive guarantees for crimes by minors. The lawyer is legal counsel for the victims of a 17-year old boy who struck three members of a family with his vehicle, including the mother who died, and daughters left in critical...