House arrests were not respected
On New Year’s Eve, the minors were nevertheless placed under house arrest following orders issued by the mayors of Antwerp Bart De Wever and Fabrice Cumps of Anderlecht, but it is clear that this measure was not respected. All arrested minors will be brought before a youth judge who will decide on the legal action to be taken. It is currently unknown whether some of the perpetrators are repeat offenders.
We learned this Thursday evening that a fifteen-year-old minor was placed at the disposal of a youth judge, who released him under strict conditions.
“The youth judge has a range of hierarchical measures at his disposal and which range from a simple reprimand to placement in IPPJ. A hearing on the merits can be held later while awaiting the results of the investigation. The accused parties will thus be able to claim compensation if the authors are identified“, explains lawyer Alexis Deswaef.
Anderlecht: the measure limiting the movement of minors under 16 has achieved its goal according to Fabrice Cumps
Thus, the ultimate measure that can be taken by the youth judge is placement in a closed IPPJ. “Other more flexible measures can be taken such as admonition, the implementation of the young person’s project, mediation when a victim accepts this restorative justice, educational and philanthropic services, placement in a center which is adapted to their difficulties. , family placement and placement in IPPJ in an open regime and then in a closed regime”details an educator who works in IPPJ.
Other temporary placement measures may be taken. “The youth judge can decide on placement in an open or closed assessment and guidance service for thirty days. During this time, we carry out an analysis of the situation at an individual and social level (school, family, sports activities, psychological functioning, etc.). After 30 days, he comes back before the judge who, based on our evaluation , will choose the most judicious measure“, continues our interlocutor.
Finally, from the age of 16, a young person who has committed serious offenses or who is a repeat offender can be released from custody. “He will then be sent to an adult court.indicates Alexis Deswaef. Similar measure can be taken for young people who have physically attacked the police and emergency services. But in the majority of cases, reprimanding measures or placement in a regular or closed IPPJ should be taken.
Currently, there are 99 places remaining in closed-system IPPJs in Wallonia.
