Amendments to Turkish Juvenile Criminal Law Introduced by Law No. 7593
Law No. 7593, adopted on 8 August 2026, provides for comprehensive amendments to Turkish juvenile criminal law and the juvenile justice system. Subject to the conditions set out in the Law, persons aged 15 but under 18 may be sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional killing and aggravated life imprisonment for aggravated intentional killing. The Law also increases the applicable sentencing ranges for persons aged 15 but under 18 and children aged 12 but under 15, and introduces amendments concerning social investigations, the execution of sentences, guidance measures, firearms, knives and other cutting, piercing or blunt instruments.
1. Non-Application of Age-Related Sentencing Provisions to Persons Aged 15 but Under 18: Life and Aggravated Life Imprisonment
One of the principal amendments introduced by Law No. 7593 is the addition of a new fourth paragraph to Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Under the new provision, one or more of the following factors may be taken into consideration:
• the degree of culpability based on intent,
• the purpose and motive,
• the manner in which the offence was committed,
• having previously been sentenced to imprisonment for an intentional offence.
Taking one or more of these factors into account, the provisions of Article 31(3) of the Turkish Penal Code may not be applied to persons aged 15 but under 18 who commit intentional killing under Article 81, aggravated intentional killing under Article 82, or aggravated forms of intentional injury falling within Article 87(2) or Article 87(4).
Article 31(3) provides that, for persons aged 15 but under 18, aggravated life imprisonment and life imprisonment are replaced by fixed-term imprisonment and other penalties are reduced by one third. Intentional killing under Article 81 of the Turkish Penal Code is punishable by life imprisonment, while aggravated intentional killing under Article 82 is punishable by aggravated life imprisonment.
Accordingly, where a court decides not to apply Article 31(3) pursuant to the new Article 31(4), a person aged 15 but under 18 may be sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional killing under Article 81 and to aggravated life imprisonment for aggravated intentional killing under Article 82.
The age-related sentencing provisions have not, however, been abolished as a general rule for persons aged 15 but under 18. The possibility of disapplying Article 31(3) is limited to intentional killing, aggravated intentional killing and the aggravated forms of intentional injury falling within Article 87(2) and Article 87(4), and depends on the court's assessment of the individual case in light of the statutory criteria.
Accordingly, the amendment does not establish life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment as a general rule for persons aged 15 but under 18. It allows the special sentencing provisions applicable to this age group to be disapplied only in respect of certain serious offences and subject to the conditions prescribed by law.
2. Increased Sentencing Ranges for Persons Aged 15 but Under 18
The sentencing ranges have also been increased in cases where Article 31(3) of the Turkish Penal Code continues to apply.
Under Law No. 7593:
• for offences punishable by aggravated life imprisonment, the applicable sentence has been increased from 18 to 24 years' imprisonment to 19 to 27 years' imprisonment;
• for offences punishable by life imprisonment, the applicable sentence has been increased from 12 to 15 years' imprisonment to 15 to 18 years' imprisonment.
For other penalties, the one-third reduction remains applicable; however, the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed for each offence has been increased from 12 years to 15 years.
Accordingly, the one-third reduction based on age continues to apply to persons aged 15 but under 18, while the sentencing limits applicable within this framework have been increased.
3. Sentencing Ranges for Children Aged 12 but Under 15 and Possible Application of the Rules Applicable to the Higher Age Group
The Law also increases the sentences applicable to children aged 12 but under 15 who are found to have criminal responsibility.
Under Article 31(2) of the Turkish Penal Code:
• for offences punishable by aggravated life imprisonment, the applicable sentence has been increased from 12 to 15 years' imprisonment to 13 to 18 years' imprisonment;
• for offences punishable by life imprisonment, the applicable sentence has been increased from 9 to 11 years' imprisonment to 10 to 12 years' imprisonment.
For other penalties, the one-half reduction remains applicable; however, the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed for each offence has been increased from 7 years to 9 years.
The new fourth paragraph added to Article 31 also allows the application of the sentencing provisions applicable to the higher age group to children aged 12 but under 15 who are found to have criminal responsibility.
In cases of intentional killing, aggravated intentional killing and aggravated forms of intentional injury falling within Article 87(2) or Article 87(4), the provisions of Article 31(3), which apply to persons aged 15 but under 18, may be applied instead of Article 31(2), taking into account the criteria specified in the Law.
Since the Law expressly refers to persons aged 12 but under 15 who have criminal responsibility, the existence of criminal responsibility within this age group must first be determined under Article 31(2) of the Turkish Penal Code.
4. Social Investigation Made Mandatory for Children Under the Age of 15
Following the amendment to Article 35 of the Child Protection Law, a social investigation is mandatory for children under the age of 15.
Where no social investigation is conducted in respect of a child who has reached the age of 15, the public prosecutor, court or juvenile judge must state the reasons for this in the indictment or decision.
A corresponding provision has also been added to Article 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Accordingly, an indictment prepared in respect of a child under the age of 15 without a social investigation is now subject to return.
Taken together, these amendments significantly strengthen the role of social investigation in criminal proceedings involving children under the age of 15.
5. Increased Penalties for Breach of Obligations Arising from Family Law
Law No. 7593 increases the penalties prescribed under Article 233 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Accordingly:
• the penalty under the first paragraph has been increased to three months to two years' imprisonment;
• the penalty under the second paragraph has been increased to six months to two years' imprisonment;
• the penalty under the third paragraph has been increased to one to three years' imprisonment.
A new fourth paragraph has also been added to Article 233. Where, as a result of conduct falling within the first or third paragraph, a child commits intentional killing under Article 81, aggravated intentional killing under Article 82, or an aggravated form of intentional injury falling within Article 87(2) or Article 87(4), the penalty to be imposed on the relevant person under Article 233 will be increased by between one half and two times. No complaint is required in such cases.
This provision should not be interpreted as automatically imposing direct responsibility on a parent or another person for the serious offence committed by the child. The Law requires conduct falling within the first or third paragraph of Article 233 and requires the child to have committed the serious offence as a result of that conduct. This connection will therefore need to be assessed separately in each individual case.
6. Failure to Secure a Firearm Resulting in Access by a Child Introduced as a Separate Criminal Offence
A new Article 13/A has been added to Law No. 6136 on Firearms, Knives and Other Instruments.
A person who stores a firearm in breach of the required duty of care and thereby causes it to come into the possession of a child will be punishable by one to three years' imprisonment, unless the conduct constitutes another offence carrying a more severe penalty.
The breach of the duty of care intended to prevent children from gaining access to firearms has therefore been made subject to a separate criminal sanction.
7. New Restrictions on Knives and Other Cutting, Piercing or Blunt Instruments
A new Article 43/C, entitled "Carrying Knives for Purposes Other Than Their Intended Use", has been added to the Misdemeanours Law.
In respect of knives and other cutting, piercing or blunt instruments that do not fall within the scope of Law No. 6136, the following are prohibited:
• sale or display outside licensed premises specified by law;
• sale to children under the age of 18;
• purchase by children;
• carrying by children.
A person who breaches these prohibitions will be subject to an administrative fine of TRY 5,000. Where the number or nature of the knives or instruments involved is considered particularly serious, the fine will be TRY 10,000.
An operator or responsible person who becomes aware that the misdemeanour has been committed and fails to notify the competent authorities will also be subject to an administrative fine of TRY 5,000. The instruments concerned will also be subject to forfeiture to the State. Administrative fines and seizure will be decided by law enforcement officers, while forfeiture to the State will be decided by the local administrative authority.
These provisions will also apply to online and distance sales.
Knives, skewers and similar instruments required for the practice of a profession or craft or for educational purposes are excluded from these restrictions where they are used, possessed or carried at the place where the relevant activity is performed and by persons carrying out that activity.
Where the child was under the age of 15 at the time of the misdemeanour, instead of imposing an administrative sanction, the local administrative authority will apply to the juvenile judge for the imposition of protective, supportive and guidance measures under the Child Protection Law, having regard to the best interests of the child.
8. Amendments to the Execution of Sentences for Children
Law No. 7593 also introduces amendments concerning the execution of sentences imposed on children.
Article 11 of Law No. 5275 on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures has been amended by replacing the wording referring only to "detained children" with wording covering both convicted and detained children, and by adding "types of offences" as an additional criterion.
Whether a convicted child should be transferred from a closed juvenile penitentiary institution to a juvenile education institution will be determined by the administration and observation board following an assessment conducted at least once every three months. The board must include at least one specialist, such as a psychologist, pedagogue, child development specialist, social worker, psychological counsellor, guidance specialist, teacher or a lawyer appointed through the Child Rights Commission of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations.
Where a convicted child's conduct and behaviour are assessed negatively for the purposes of transfer to a juvenile education institution, the period before reassessment may not exceed six months.
However, sentences imposed on children will be executed directly in juvenile education institutions where the total sentence is:
• three years or less for intentional offences;
• five years or less for negligent offences.
Children held in juvenile education institutions may be transferred to closed juvenile penitentiary institutions by decision of the administration and observation board where they escape, are subsequently detained in connection with another offence, or where the disciplinary or security conditions specified by law arise. Further procedures and principles will be determined by regulation.
Calculation of Conditional Release
Following the amendment to Article 107 of Law No. 5275, one day spent in a penal institution before the convicted person reaches the age of 15 will be counted as two days for the purposes of calculating conditional release, except in respect of intentional killing offences under Articles 81, 82 and 83 of the Turkish Penal Code, sexual offences under Articles 102 and 103, manufacture and trafficking of narcotic or stimulant substances under Article 188, and establishing an organisation for the purpose of committing offences under Article 220.
9. New Guidance Measures for Children Without Criminal Responsibility
A new Article 5/A has been added to the Child Protection Law, introducing guidance measures in addition to the existing protective and supportive measures.
These measures constitute child-specific security measures applicable to children subject to judicial proceedings who do not have criminal responsibility.
The Law provides for five types of guidance measures:
Social and community service measure: The child may be required to undertake activities contributing to psychosocial development for between 20 and 300 hours at sports clubs, youth centres, sports facilities and relevant public institutions and organisations.
Protection from digital risks measure: The child's telephone, telephone line, computer, tablet and similar devices must be declared. Activity involving such devices after the measure is imposed may be opened to institutional monitoring by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority and the Cyber Security Presidency (Siber Güvenlik Başkanlığı) through monitoring software, and access to digital channels, applications or platforms identified as posing a risk may be blocked. This measure may be imposed for a period of not less than three months and not more than two years.
Books and libraries measure: The child may be required to undertake activities contributing to psychosocial development in libraries and reading rooms for between 20 and 300 hours or to read specified works.
Environmental awareness and environmental cleaning measure: The child may be required to participate for between 20 and 300 hours in activities such as environmental cleaning, plant care, afforestation and planting.
Tobacco, nicotine, alcohol, gambling, narcotic and stimulant substances and behavioural addiction measure: The child may be required to complete treatment and rehabilitation programmes addressing addictions that pose a danger to the child's health and which are to be implemented by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Turkish Green Crescent.
The procedures and principles governing the implementation of guidance measures will be determined by a regulation to be issued by the Ministry of Family and Social Services.
10. New Provisions on Emergency Protection, Public Prosecution and Deferment of the Announcement of the Verdict
New provisions added to Article 9 of the Child Protection Law establish a special emergency protection procedure for children who are considered to pose a serious danger to themselves or others due to health conditions or addiction.
Where a specialist physician determines that treatment is required due to mental illness, mental impairment, alcohol, narcotic or stimulant addiction, behavioural addiction, or a communicable disease posing a serious danger, a report must be issued within 24 hours for the purposes of obtaining an emergency protection order.
The health institution must apply to the juvenile judge no later than 24 hours after the report is issued. An official medical board report prepared by three specialist physicians must then be submitted to the court within 48 hours of the application. The judge must decide on the application within 48 hours after considering the application and the medical board report.
Necessary medical intervention and treatment may be provided from the time the child arrives or is brought to the health institution until the judge's decision is served on the institution, and assistance from law enforcement may be requested where necessary. The judge may also order that the child's location be kept confidential and, where necessary, may establish or restrict personal contact, having regard to the best interests of the child.
Under the provision added to Article 15 of the Child Protection Law, where a public prosecution is brought against a child, the matter must be notified to the relevant provincial or district directorates of the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of National Education so that the necessary administrative measures may be taken.
Amendments to Article 23 of the Child Protection Law also introduce new rules concerning deferment of the announcement of the verdict (HAGB) for children subject to judicial proceedings. Where an HAGB decision is rendered, one or more of the guidance measures specified in Article 5/A of the Child Protection Law will be imposed as a probation measure, as considered appropriate.
In addition, where the damage suffered by the victim or the public as a result of the offence is minor, the requirement to compensate for the damage may be waived for the purposes of an HAGB decision concerning a child.
11. Implementation of Protective and Supportive Measures and Coercive Detention
Amendments to Article 45 of the Child Protection Law introduce new provisions concerning the implementation of protective and supportive measures, inter-agency coordination and sanctions for non-compliance with such measures.
Law enforcement assistance may be requested where necessary during the implementation of protective and supportive measures by the relevant institutions or organisations.
Coordination between institutions will be carried out centrally by the Ministry of Family and Social Services and, at provincial and district level, by governors and district governors. Secretariat services at provincial and district level will be carried out by the provincial directorates of family and social services.
Where a parent, guardian or other person responsible for the care and supervision of the child fails to comply with the requirements of a protective or supportive measure imposed in respect of the child, the juvenile judge may impose coercive detention for between three and ten days, having regard to the nature of the measure breached and the seriousness of the non-compliance.
The fact that the conduct also constitutes a criminal offence does not prevent this sanction from being imposed. A decision imposing coercive detention may be challenged and will be enforced by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office once it becomes final.
12. Replacement of the Term "Child Driven to Crime"
Article 15 of Law No. 7593 introduces extensive changes to the terminology used in the juvenile justice system.
In numerous provisions of the Social Services Law, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Child Protection Law, the statutory expressions "suça sürüklenen çocuk" and "suça sürüklenen", commonly rendered in English as "child driven to crime" and "driven to crime", have been replaced, depending on the provision concerned, by "adli süreçteki çocuk" and "hakkında adli süreç yürütülen", which may be rendered as "child subject to judicial proceedings" and "subject to judicial proceedings."
The statutory terminology used in judicial proceedings involving children has therefore been substantially revised.
13. Entry into Force
Article 16 of Law No. 7593 provides for two different dates of entry into force.
Article 43/C(1)(a) of the Misdemeanours Law, concerning the sale and display of certain knives and other instruments outside licensed premises, will enter into force on 1 December 2026.
All other provisions of the Law will enter into force on the date of its publication.
This study is based on the text of Law No. 7593 on the Amendment of the Child Protection Law and Certain Other Laws, adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 8 August 2026.