DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/lr.v22i2.82196

Neuro-Protective Criminal Justice: A New Paradigm For Child Criminal Responsibility And Protection

1Faculty of Law, Universitas Trisakti, Indonesia

2Faculty of Law, Universitas Pertiba, Indonesia

3Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

Open Access Copyright 2026 LAW REFORM under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

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Abstract

Contemporary criminal justice systems predominantly assess child criminal responsibility through fixed age thresholds and formal legal capacity while often disregarding neuroscientific evidence concerning brain development, impulse regulation, and limited decision making capacity. This article proposes neuro protective criminal justice that integrates neuroscience, neurolaw, and child centered human rights into criminal law policy. The study aims to examine the conceptual foundation of neuro protective criminal justice, analyze child criminal liability under Indonesian law, and develop a model of neurological protection within the child criminal justice system. This research employs a normative juridical method using statutory, conceptual, and comparative approach. The analysis demonstrates that age based responsibility doesn’t adequately reflect children’s vulnerability to social and structural influences. It argues for a framework that prioritizes rehabilitation, prevention of neurological and psychological harm, and long term developmental well being through restorative justice, therapeutic interventions, and diversion. This study positions neuro protection as a foundational principle of child criminal justice while providing normative guidance for legal reform consistent with neuroscientific knowledge and international child protection standards. The study concludes that Indonesia should introduce regulations requiring neurological development analysis throughout juvenile criminal proceedings and reform legal practices across all components of its legal system.

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Keywords: Neuro-Protective Criminal Justice; Child Criminal Responsibility; Neurolaw

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Section: Research Article
Language : EN
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