PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS FOR THE RIGHTS OF A JUVENILE SUSPECT DURING DETENTION: ISSUES OF LEGAL REGULATION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32689/3083-7731-2026-2(38)-75-83Keywords:
juvenile suspect, detention, procedural safeguards, right to defence, defence lawyer, legal representative, children’s rightsAbstract
The article examines safeguards for the rights of a juvenile suspect during detention, identifies shortcomings in their regulation, and suggests ways to improve Ukrainian legislation. Formal legal, systemic, and comparative methods are used. The Constitution of Ukraine, the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, international instruments, and European case law are analyzed. The greatest risks to a child’s rights arise during the first hours after deprivation of liberty, when the child may be unable to assess their procedural status, understand the information provided, or anticipate the consequences of their actions. A defence lawyer should be involved immediately after detention and before the juvenile provides information about the criminal offence. Attention is paid to prompt notification of parents or other persons specified by law, accurate recording of the time of detention, and explanation of rights in language the child can understand. Providing a standard letter of rights without verifying whether its content has been understood cannot be regarded as an adequate explanation of procedural rights. The study reveals insufficient consistency between the general procedure established by Articles 207–213 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the special safeguards applicable to juveniles. It is proposed to specify the procedure for informing a detained child, record the method and time of notifying parents or a legal representative, and ensure the participation of a defence lawyer before an official discusses the circumstances of the offence with the juvenile. The effectiveness of these safeguards depends on their timely and comprehensible implementation in accordance with the best interests of the child.
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