Abstract

The Italian juvenile justice system in the 60s and 70s undoubtedly saved children thanks to the introduction of special adoption in 1967 and the great cultural change of that time. A promotional juvenile justice of rights was born who faced strong and contradictory changes in the following 90s (new families, immigration, reproductive technologies, soft criminal justice, the presence of lawyers in the procedures). He is a judge who has been in crisis: he has sometimes made serious mistakes and has also been able to damage family relationships. And he has not sufficiently reflected on his limitations. Will we have a judge in the future who is able to be a trusted interpreter for the rights of children and youth at risk from public and private forces?