FIRST.— When the accused is a minor

Juvenile jurisdiction works differently than adult criminal court. It’s not called a “sentence,” it’s called a “measure,” and the stated legal goal is rehabilitation, not just punishment — though the measures can still be just as tough: anything from supervised probation to placement in a youth detention center.

I’m certified by the Barcelona Bar Association for the specialized court-appointed panel in Juvenile Justice, with the specific training this panel requires.

SECOND.— Who’s held responsible, and how

Children under 14 can’t be held criminally responsible — if your child is under 14, the case doesn’t fall under this jurisdiction, though there may still be civil consequences or child protection measures involved. Between ages 14 and 18, there is criminal responsibility, but under a different procedure and with different measures than an adult would face.

THIRD.— What I do for families

• I assist the minor from the very first moment, the same way I would with any detainee
• I explain to the family what’s happening and what their real options are, without unnecessary legal jargon
• I fight for whatever measure gets imposed to be proportionate, and to genuinely aim at rehabilitation, not just punishment