"The purpose of the Juvenile Court Act (JGG) is not to lock up offenders forever," stated Vienna juvenile judge Daniel Rechenmacher clearly. Rather, it is about "preventing them from committing further crimes." The main goal should be not to ruin a young offender's entire life if a mistake happens once.

Special Training for Juvenile Judges

A juvenile judge should consider how to enable integration into society. According to Rechenmacher and an EU directive, imprisonment should be the last resort, as it is often counterproductive. The Juvenile Court Act offers other options such as diversionary measures or a conviction without punishment. As Rechenmacher emphasized, juvenile judges receive special training and complete, for example, six blocks of three-day training sessions in various areas. Recently, there has also been a focus on the field of Islamist research. It is noticeable that, at least in Vienna, even newly criminally responsible delinquents - boys aged 14 or just over 14 - commit more serious offenses, such as armed robberies or sexual offenses and crimes.

"Hate on the Internet" Also Against the Judiciary

As Rechenmacher emphasized, juvenile judges receive special training and complete, for example, six blocks of three-day training sessions in various areas. Recently, there has also been a focus on the field of Islamist research. It is noticeable that, at least in Vienna, even newly criminally responsible delinquents - boys aged 14 or just over 14 - commit more serious offenses, such as armed robberies or sexual offenses and crimes.

Also discussed were the personal, sometimes offensive or even threatening attacks that judges face in online forums or social networks. Although this is "a phenomenon of the times," it is concerning "and damages the judiciary as an institution," said Christina Salzborn, Vice President and media spokesperson of the Vienna Regional Court. As Susanne Lehr, spokesperson for the Vienna Higher Regional Court (OLG), emphasized in this context, particularly concerning and derogatory postings are recorded by the judicial administration and can have civil and criminal consequences. "All possibilities are exhausted by the employer in consultation with the affected person," Lehr clarified.

(APA/Red)

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