Hugo Motta, president of the Chamber of Deputies (Republicanos-PB), announced the creation of a special commission to analyze PEC 32/2015 [1].
The move represents a significant step in a long-standing legal debate over how Brazil handles juvenile offenders. Proponents of the measure argue that lowering the age of criminal responsibility is necessary to address rising youth crime rates [2].
PEC 32/2015 proposes reducing the age of criminal responsibility from 18 years [2] to 16 years [2]. Under current laws, individuals under 18 are subject to different legal proceedings than adults. The proposal seeks to shift that threshold, potentially allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to be tried as adults for certain crimes.
The announcement comes as the legislative body prepares for further deliberation in Brasília. A vote on the admissibility of the proposal in the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) is scheduled for later in July 2026 [2].
The special commission will be tasked with studying the implications of the constitutional amendment. This process involves reviewing the legal framework, and the potential social impact of treating younger teenagers as adults in the eyes of the law.
Legislators supporting the change suggest that the current age limit is outdated. They argue that adolescents today possess a higher level of discernment regarding their actions than in previous decades, a point often cited by those pushing for the adoption of PEC 32/2015 [2].
Opponents of the measure typically argue that such a change would violate international treaties on children's rights and fail to address the root causes of youth delinquency, such as poverty and lack of education. The outcome of the CCJ vote will determine if the proposal moves forward to a full floor vote in the Chamber of Deputies.
“PEC 32/2015 proposes reducing the age of criminal responsibility from 18 years to 16 years.”
The advancement of PEC 32/2015 signals a shift toward more punitive juvenile justice policies in Brazil. If passed, the measure would fundamentally alter the legal status of 16- and 17-year-olds, moving them from a rehabilitative juvenile system into the adult criminal justice system, which could increase incarceration rates for minors.
