The Italian government approved a bill on Thursday that would presume criminal capacity for minors aged 14 to 18, effectively removing the current requirement for a prior judicial assessment of whether a young person understood their actions, and treating them more like adults before the courts.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the measure in a social media video, framing it as a crackdown on violent youth behavior she dubbed an "anti-maranza" rule. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio explained that the minimum age of criminal responsibility remains at 14, but the legislation would reverse the burden of proof on a minor's capacity to intend and will. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described the move as a crackdown on youth delinquency driven by his League party. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party and Italia Viva, condemned the proposal as propaganda and repression.
The bill must now pass through parliament before taking effect. It follows the so-called Caivano decree of September 2023, which had already tightened penalties for minors.