형사책임 연령 인하 논의에 관한 형사정책적 검토 - 도덕성발달이론을 중심으로 - = A Study on the Age of Criminal Liability - Focused on Moral Development Theory

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study reviewed cognitive and behavioral approach of morality of child as well as empirical studies. Whether to make age of criminal liability earlier than current provisions is also reviewed. For the following reasons, the age of criminal liability should not be lowered.
First, moral development for child is immature from the cognitive and behavioral perspective. Although cognitive ability has nothing different among children in 12~14 age, they are influenced a lot from their surroundings. Just punishment to make them feel scared from punishment is not effective. Educational factors need to be emphasized.
Second, the logical basis to lower the age of criminal liability that the age of crime has been earlier and the situations of the crime has been serious than the past. However, this is hasty generalization only focused on several specific cases mentioned in press.
Third, there are concerns about labeling effect. Juvenile criminal procedure has no proper safeguard to prevent labeling effect. Juvenile Protection Principle should be applied sufficiently to juvenile criminal procedure.
Fourth, the specialty for child in criminal procedure could not be expected because criminal procedure has been processed mainly for adults.
The liability for wrongful behavior of child should be aimed to help them grown up in healthy way not just blame for the result of wrongdoing. The lowering the age of criminal liability should not take the priority in dealing with criminal justice to prevent child crimes.