09.08.2026 12:10
All the curiosities regarding the law adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, which includes new regulations concerning children drawn into crime, are answered in 10 questions. In the law, the phrase 'child drawn into crime' was changed to 'child in the judicial process,' guidance measures for children were introduced, penalties for ages 15-18 were rearranged, and restrictions were added to the sale of knives.
The bill amending the Child Protection Law and certain other laws, containing regulations regarding children in the judicial process, was accepted in the Turkish Grand National Assembly and became law.
THE CHILD LAW IN 10 QUESTIONS
The 10 questions and answers regarding the regulations introduced by the law are as follows:
1- What will replace the term "children pushed into crime"?
The term "pushed into crime" in various provisions of the Child Protection Law, the Social Services Law, and the Criminal Procedure Code will be changed to "in the judicial process."
2- What will happen if a public lawsuit is filed against a child?
If a public lawsuit is filed against a child, the situation will be reported to the provincial or district directorates of the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of National Education in order to take necessary administrative measures.
3- What will the prison sentences be for individuals who have completed the age of 15 but not the age of 18 at the time of the act, if the crime requires aggravated life imprisonment or life imprisonment?
For individuals who have completed the age of 15 but not the age of 18 at the time of the act, if the crime requires aggravated life imprisonment, they will be sentenced to 19 to 27 years of imprisonment; if it requires life imprisonment, they will be sentenced to 15 to 18 years of imprisonment.
4- How will a person who causes a child to obtain a firearm by failing to store it with due care and attention be punished?
A person who causes a child to obtain a firearm by failing to store it with due care and attention will be punished with 1 to 3 years of imprisonment, provided the act does not constitute another offense requiring a heavier penalty.
5- What kind of regulation is being made for children in the judicial process who do not have criminal responsibility?
For children in the judicial process who do not have criminal responsibility, "guidance measures" have been defined as child-specific security measures. These are listed under the headings: "social and community services measure," "protection from digital risks measure," "book and library measure," "respect for the environment and environmental cleanliness measure," and "tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, gambling, drugs and stimulants, and behavioral addiction measure."
During the implementation of these measures, assistance may be requested from law enforcement against possible resistance or difficulties. Additionally, the coordination of institutions in implementing the measures will be ensured centrally by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and in provinces and districts, the coordination and follow-up will be carried out by the governor and district governor.
6- How will the coordination of institutions be ensured in implementing protective and supportive measures?
The coordination of institutions in implementing protective and supportive measures will be ensured centrally by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, and in provinces and districts, the coordination and follow-up will be carried out by the governor and district governor. For this purpose, secretariat services in provinces and districts will be carried out by provincial directorates of family and social services.
7- What penalties will be imposed on those who act contrary to the requirements of protective and supportive measure decisions given about a child?
If a mother, father, guardian, or person responsible for the care and supervision of the child acts contrary to the requirements of the protective and supportive measure decisions, even if the act constitutes a crime, they will be punished with "detention for coercion" for 3 to 10 days by the decision of the juvenile judge, depending on the nature of the violated measure and the severity of the violation.
8- To whom will the social investigation be applied?
With the amendment in the Child Protection Law, conducting a social investigation will be mandatory for children under the age of 15. If a public prosecutor, court, or juvenile judge does not conduct a social investigation for a child who has completed the age of 15, the reason must be stated in the indictment or the decision.
9- What will happen if a decision to defer the announcement of the verdict is given at the end of the trial of a child in the judicial process?
If a decision to defer the announcement of the verdict is given at the end of the trial of children in the judicial process, one or more of the appropriate guidance measures will also be applied as a probation measure. The obligations imposed under this paragraph will be fulfilled by the institutions listed in the regulation. If the damage suffered by the victim or the public due to the commission of the crime is minor, the condition of compensating the damage may not be required for a decision to defer the announcement of the verdict for children in the judicial process.
10- What kind of regulation is being made regarding the sale of knives and other cutting, piercing, or bruising tools?
The sale and display of all types of knives and other cutting, piercing, or bruising tools that fall outside the scope of the Law on Firearms, Knives, and Other Tools will be prohibited except in places licensed under the Law on the Production, Purchase, Sale, and Possession of Rifles Used in Hunting and Sports, Target Pistols, and Hunting Knives, and in workplaces licensed according to the relevant regulation. This provision will enter into force on December 1, 2026.
Their sale to children under the age of 18 and their purchase or carrying by children will be prohibited. An administrative fine of 5,000 lira will be imposed on those who do not comply with these prohibitions, and 10,000 lira if the knives or tools subject to the violation are severe in number or nature. Additionally, an administrative fine of 5,000 lira will be imposed if the operator or responsible person who learns of this violation does not notify the authorities. It will be decided to transfer the ownership of the items that are the subject of the violation or obtained through its commission to the public. Law enforcement officers will decide on the administrative fine and confiscation due to the violation, and the provincial administrative authority will decide on the transfer of ownership to the public.