MANDATORY DEFENSE IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MINORS AND THE PRESENCE OF A DEFENSE AT THE POLICE STATION

Abstract

In the paper, the author examines the issue of mandatory defense in criminal proceedings against juvenile offenders, primarily during hearings at the police station, from the point of view of the criminal procedural legislation of the Republic of Serbia, with an analysis of the standards set in the jurispridence of the European Court of Human Rights. The author starts from the principle of the best interest of the child in criminal proceedings, which should be explicitly recognized in Serbian legislation, after which he moves on to the central aspect of the work, i.e. develops standards related to mandatory defense in criminal proceedings. Finally, the author provides concluding remarks, along with appropriate suggestions for future practice.