Child Sex Crimes & Juvenile Justice

Where a juvenile (a child below 18) is the accused, proceedings move from the regular criminal courts to the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The focus shifts from punishment to reform, rehabilitation and social reintegration, guided by a social investigation report. For heinous offences (punishable with seven years or more) allegedly committed by a child aged 16 to 18, the JJB conducts a preliminary assessment under Section 15 and may transfer the case to the Children’s Court for trial as an adult. Bail for a child in conflict with law is the norm under Section 12 of the JJ Act — the child must ordinarily be released unless release would expose the child to danger or defeat the ends of justice. These cases run alongside POCSO where the offence is sexual, demanding sensitivity for both the child victim and the child accused. We represent children in conflict with law and victim families alike — managing JJB inquiries, preliminary assessments, bail, rehabilitation plans and, where transfer occurs, Children’s Court trials, always centred on the child’s welfare and the law.