In the narrowest sense, the term �juvenile justice� refers to legislation, norms and standards, procedures, mechanisms and provisions, institutions and bodies specifically applicable to juvenile offenders.

According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, �States Parties recognize the right of every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child's sense of dignity and worth, which reinforces the child's respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of others and which takes into account the child's age and the desirability of promoting the child's reintegration and the child's assuming a constructive role in society.� UNCRC, Article 40.1