Diversion measures against juvenile offenders: General considerations and a view to Serbia

In recent decades, one of the key trends in the field of juvenile justice is the diversion from the criminal procedure. The aim of this paper is to present the basic elements of diversion model of juvenile justice, with reference to the current situation in Serbia. The author presents basic ideas and theoretical concepts underlying the application of diversion measures, and also numerous international documents in the field of juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice relating to this issue, as well as some examples of comparative law. The central part is devoted to the application of educational orders in Serbia. The author has endeavored to summarize the structure and trends in the application of educational orders, and also the key problems that characterize this area in Serbia. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for the improvement of the practice in Serbia