Juvenile Justice System Implications and Overview of Resolved Cases in Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The juvenile justice system has been designed to protect the juveniles' rights to avoid sentencing like adults, especially the death sentences. The current study analyses the practical implication and overview of the resolved cases under the juvenile justice system Act 2018 and juvenile justice system ordinance 2000.It is qualitative exploratory research that goes through the content analysis of case laws based on the different crimes; having weapon, attempt to murder, possession of narcotics, rape cases, accused treatment as an adult offender, dispute of age and birth certification, dispute on sentencing the accused base on the age factor. It is found that in various cases, the juveniles have been released on bail after the approval of their age less than sixteen years. The study finds that the juvenile justice system Act 2018 and juvenile justice system ordinance 2000 are significant to protect the children's rights and prevent them from being addicted and professional criminals due to their physical and psychological protection from the jail environment. It concludes that such acts are necessary to providethe juveniles a platform to prove themselves innocent, indulging the age factor and preventing them from the evil influence of rigid and predetermined punishments of their intentional and unintentional committed crimes. The study suggests that policymakers consider the practical stances of the law implementation in the field before introducing the complete law at ground level. This research will be useful for the lawenforcing agencies, policymakers and academicians to have rich insight into the juvenile justice system Act 2018, Juvenile Justice System Ordinance 2000 and its practicality.