What will the “educational interest” measure for adolescent delinquents desired by Gabriel Attal ? consist of?

Cette mesure d’intérêt éducatif cible les jeunes de 13 à 16 ans ayant commis des actes délinquants. MAXPPP – VALERY HACHE

After Gabriel Attal's announcement of the establishment of "work of educational interest" for those under 16, the Minister of Justice specifies this Tuesday, April 30, in a circular sent to prosecutors, the contours of this measure.

There will ultimately be no "work of educational interest" for adolescent delinquents, as mentioned at the end of January by the Prime Minister, but a measure "of educational interest" which was detailed in a circular sent on Tuesday April 30 to prosecutors by the Minister of Justice.

Gabriel Attal had presented during his general policy speech what was to be a new disciplinary sanction and had taken professionals in the legal world by surprise. The Chancellery then mentioned a device, "very educational" which would appear "in a draft law in the first half (2024)" and be "refined at that time".

For minors aged 13 to 16

The system was finally inserted into already existing legal frameworks, in this case those of civic and citizenship training courses.

This measure known as "of’educational interest" targets minors aged 13 to 16 who have committed theft or minor damage for the first time.

It must involve police officers, educators of the judicial protection of youth (PJJ) and communities and is intended to be "a first level of criminal response", an "additional tool" whose aim is to "prevent any lasting involvement in delinquency".

"This is about ensuring that these minors, often little known to the justice system, become aware of their actions and can answer for them& ;quot;, indicates the circular signed by Eric Dupond-Moretti.

Repair, reflection, education

The measure includes three parts. The so-called reparation is an activity of 20 hours maximum linked to the offense committed to reflect on its consequences. Another 4-hour sequence is intended to reflect on living together, and a third, educational, must be planned with the minor's school.

"Legal representatives" of the adolescent will "be involved at all stages" of the measure, of which the judicial protection of youth will also be responsible for ensuring an annual evaluation" in connection with the courts, specifies the circular.

The plan for new sanctions announced by Gabriel Attal echoed the violence which shook France at the start of the summer of 2023 during several days of riots.