The number of criminal cases started against minors in the first half of this year decreased comparted with the corresponding periods of the previous years. Prosecutors dealt with 309 cases involving minors, as opposed to 358 cases in January – June 2017, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, as the previous years, thefts represented most of the offenses committed by minors, with 184 criminal cases over thefts being started against them. There were drawn up 55 contravention reports on large-scale stealing. The minors more often become involved in crimes against human life and health. In the first six months of this year, there were reported three cases of murder, 32 cases of theft, six offenses concerning the sexual life and three cases of intentional causing of injuries that involved minors.

Of all the minor offenders, 10% were under the age of criminal responsibility. Statistics show the age at which offenses are committed decreases, while the incidence increases. Offenses are committed repeatedly and this is worrisome. The uncontrolled access to the Internet, films and programs that propagate violence negatively affects the child’s psycho-emotional state and determine antisocial behaviors.

The prosecutors in the period completed the investigations into 277 criminal cases involving minors. A number of 207 cases were sent to court, while 70 cases were dropped.