House President Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB) is advancing a proposal to reduce the age of criminal responsibility in Brazil from 18 to 16 years [3].
The move represents a significant shift in Brazil's legal approach to juvenile justice. By lowering the age of adulthood for criminal purposes, the government aims to harden the state's response to violent crimes, and streamline the approval of a broader Public Security Constitutional Amendment (PEC) [1, 2].
The proposal has already seen legislative progress. On June 10, 2026, the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) approved the measure [4]. During that session, the committee recorded 44 votes in favor and 18 votes against [1].
To further the process, Motta announced the creation of a special commission to discuss the PEC [2]. This procedural step is intended to refine the legal framework before it reaches a full floor vote in Brasília.
However, the path to final approval remains contested. Some reports indicate that Motta may seek to remove the reduction of the criminal age from the primary Public Security PEC to facilitate its overall passage [1]. In a statement on June 4, Motta said, "I will try to remove the reduction of the criminal age for violent crimes from the text of the PEC" [0].
This contradiction suggests a strategic tension within the House leadership. While the CCJ has already signaled support for the age reduction [1], the Speaker may be weighing whether the provision is too polarizing to remain attached to the wider security package. If separated, the age reduction would move forward as a distinct legislative effort via the newly proposed special commission [2].
“reduce the age of criminal responsibility in Brazil from 18 to 16 years”
The debate over the age of criminal responsibility is a recurring flashpoint in Brazilian politics. Lowering the age to 16 would allow the state to prosecute minors as adults for specific crimes, shifting the focus from the current rehabilitative juvenile system toward a more punitive model. The Speaker's hesitation to keep the provision within the broader Public Security PEC suggests that while there is strong committee support, the measure remains a political risk that could stall other critical security reforms.
