France Debates Juvenile Justice Reform Amid High-Profile Cases and Constitutional Hurdles

On February 10, 2026, France's Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin called for a major national debate on juvenile justice, advocating the abolition of the legal "excuse of minority," which currently limits the criminal responsibility of minors. Darmanin emphasized that while the children's court should persist, the leniency granted by minority status should end. He acknowledged that constitutional amendments are difficult now due to the government's minority in the National Assembly and stressed that the issue should be addressed during the 2027 presidential election to secure necessary parliamentary majorities.

This push follows the Constitutional Council's recent rejection of key provisions in a juvenile justice reform bill proposed by Gabriel Attal. The Council ruled that reducing the leniency towards minors over 16 years old for serious crimes violated constitutional protections that limit juvenile liability based on age. Changing this would require a three-fifths majority in both the National Assembly and Senate.

Concurrently, high-profile legal cases spotlight the urgent debate on juvenile crime. In Paris, a trial is underway involving a 15-year-old accused of murder linked to organized crime in Marseille. Due to his age and the current legal framework, his prison term is capped at twenty years. Meanwhile, in Essonne, the trial began for nine men accused of involvement in the organized murder of 15-year-old Saïdou, who was stabbed to death in July 2020 amid violent gang rivalries between the Mazières and Bergeries neighborhoods. This case highlights ongoing youth violence, with multiple deadly brawls reported in 2025 within the department.

Darmanin’s remarks align with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s views, both pushing for reconsideration of how juvenile offenders are treated under French law. The debate is expected to intensify nationally, as public safety concerns intersect with constitutional and political challenges.

"I think the children's court must continue to exist, but the excuse of minority must be abolished," Darmanin declared, underscoring the need for structural reform to address evolving crime dynamics involving minors.

As France navigates this complex issue, the outcome of upcoming elections and legislative sessions will be critical in shaping the future of juvenile justice reform.