Discrimination against juveniles in judicial proceedings due to protective legislation

In some jurisdictions special procedures are applicable to minors which, although originally intended to protect them and spare them from certain painful situations (in particular in the case of criminal trials), in effect permit decisions and denials of liberty which would not be tolerated, and in fact would be inconceivable, in relation to adults. Discrimination against juveniles may therefore arise out of the very legislation that was originally intended to protect them by shielding them against the harshness of criminal justice.