Children in conflict with the law: An in-depth investigation

Abstract

This descriptive-qualitative investigation attempted to study in-depth twelve cases of minors who committed various crimes in violation of the law. Results of the investigation showed that minors committed the crime of rape followed by theft, robbery, murder, and illegal possession of dangerous drugs. The Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) are mostly 16 and 17 years old with the youngest being only 11 years old, come from big families whose members are mostly inadequately educated, mostly unemployed and poor. Of the four rape cases, two have been dismissed by the Court. One is under detention at Dalayunan Home for Boys, and one has been released on recognizance to the custody of his mother. Of the three minors who were accused of Theft, one was released on recognizance to the custody of his father, the other one to the custody of his mother, the reamining one is still under detention at Dalayunan Home for Boys. On the robbery case, one is out on bail while the other one is under detention at the Regional Rehabilitation of the Youth. The minor accused of Murder is under detention at Dalayunan Home for Boys while the minor accused of Attempted Homicide has been released on recognizance to the custody of his mother. The minor accused of Illegal Possession of Dangerous Drugs has been released on recognizance to the custody of his mother. Some CICL are undergoing a court approved diversion program as part of their rehabilitation before final community integration.