Justice Ministry pleads for broader specialization of judges

The judges will be trained to examine criminal cases involving children and should thus have knowledge of psychology and pedagogy, Deputy Minister of Justice Vladimir Grosu said in a press club meeting, Info-Prim Neo reports. “The Ministry of Justice drafted a strategy for reforming the justice sector, which also deals with problems related to the treatment of children in the legal system. We aim to broaden the specialization of judges. They must have knowledge of psychology and pedagogy even if the hearing is attended by a psychologist and a pedagogue because it is the judge who passes the sentence,” said Vladimir Grosu. According to him, the attention devoted to children must be trebled given that parent migration results in an increase in juvenile delinquency. UNICEF Representative in Moldova Alexandra Yuster said the idea of having juvenile justice for persons younger than 18 is aimed at making a difference between the mature offenders and the minors. These children must be helped to learn from their own mistakes so that they later integrate with society. According to Alexandra Yuster, Moldova made significant progress in adopting juvenile legislation. Over the last ten years the laws have changed. The underage offenders spend less time in detention until the trial. The period of time during which they can be held in police stations was reduced. Work with the juvenile delinquents outside the legal system was simplified. The press club meeting “Reform in justice and the child’s interest” was organized by the Journalistic Investigations Center in partnership with UNICEF.