Forum echo

Criminal age: Krone readers demand consequences

The age of criminal responsibility is currently a polarizing topic - both in politics and among Krone readers. Young people in Austria are currently liable to prosecution from the age of 14, but voices within the government are calling for this age to be lowered. Our users also have many, sometimes very different, views on this discussion.

Lowering the age of criminal responsibility
Many users agreed that they would like to see the age of criminal responsibility lowered.

Responsibility of parents?
Some Krone readers pointed out that the responsibility of parents should not be ignored either. User Johann3147, for example, believes that parents are primarily responsible. And schmuserin would also welcome it if parents could ensure that their offspring do not become delinquents.

Effectiveness of imprisonment?
Several Krone readers had their doubts about the usefulness of a lower age of criminal responsibility. User BesorgterArbeiter, for example, sees resocialization as the most important measure for children and young people who have committed crimes, and mami-schlumpf also has reservations about the proposal.

What do you think about the current debate on the age of criminal responsibility? Do you welcome the proposal to lower it or do you share the view that socio-educational approaches should be used to deal with juvenile delinquency? We look forward to your opinion in the comments!