Overview
- Constanze Geiert said her ministry will prepare a bill in the coming weeks to shift 18–21-year-olds to adult criminal law by default, with youth law reserved for exceptions.
- She endorsed a Bavarian initiative to establish judicial responsibility procedures for children under 14 who commit crimes, who are currently below the age of criminal liability.
- Her package also seeks faster youth proceedings and higher maximum penalties in severe cases, including raising juvenile sentences to up to 15 years for crimes such as murder.
- Geiert cited 2024 nationwide data of more than 217,000 violent offenses and increases in suspected child offenders by 11.3% and juveniles by nearly 4% as justification.
- The Saxony Landtag showed a clear split, with CDU and AfD backing tougher rules while BSW, SPD, Greens and Left argued for prevention and child welfare, and SPD leaders said the move was not coordinated within the coalition or in the pact.