Global Perspectives on Lowering the Age of Criminal Responsibility
Brazil debates lowering criminal majority age amid international trends and expert warnings.
1Global Majority Age Trends
Among 76 nations analyzed, only eight set the age of criminal majority below 18. Countries like Albania, Portugal, and Haiti maintain lower thresholds, while 68 nations, including all G20 members, uphold 18 as the standard. This data highlights that the vast majority of influential global economies prioritize juvenile-specific justice systems.
2Legislative Debates in Brazil
The Brazilian Congress is actively debating proposals to reduce the age of criminal majority from 18 to 16, specifically for heinous crimes. President Lula has expressed support for this reduction in cases of murder. Senate President Davi Alcolumbre has opted to wait for the Chamber of Deputies to vote first.
3Responsibility vs. Majority Age
Brazil distinguishes between criminal majority and the age of accountability. While the majority age is 18, adolescents can be held accountable for infractions starting at age 12 through socio-educational measures. This system aims to provide education and social reintegration, a model shared by countries like Canada, Mexico, and South Africa.
4Expert Warnings on Incarceration
Unicef representative Joaquin Gonzalez-Aleman warns that lowering the age of majority could negatively impact public safety. He notes that placing adolescents in adult prisons increases the risk of recruitment by organized crime. Data from the National Council of Justice suggests that recidivism rates are significantly higher within the adult prison system.
5International Standards and G20
None of the 19 G20 countries analyzed by Unicef set the criminal majority age below 18. International evidence suggests that treating adolescents as adults does not effectively reduce crime rates. Several U.S. states, including New York and North Carolina, have recently reversed policies that previously allowed minors to be tried as adults.
6Regional Comparisons in Latin America
In Latin America, Brazil is among the countries with the lowest age of criminal accountability, starting at 12. Countries such as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia set this threshold at 14. These nations maintain a clear separation between juvenile justice systems and adult penal institutions to ensure age-appropriate development and rehabilitation.
7Evolving Legal Frameworks
Legislation is dynamic, as seen in Argentina, which reduced the age of criminal accountability from 16 to 14 in February 2026. However, the age of majority remained at 18. These shifts reflect ongoing efforts to balance public security demands with international guidelines regarding the developmental stages of children and adolescents.
8Future Policy Implications
The debate in Brazil centers on whether lowering the age of majority will curb violence or exacerbate recidivism. Experts emphasize that accountability does not require adult penal treatment. Policymakers must now decide whether to align with international standards or pursue a more punitive approach to address rising public security concerns.
Original article: G1 – Política — Global Perspectives on Lowering the Age of Criminal Responsibility