CSIF Alicante has urged the creation of a fourth Juvenile Court in Alicante to address a rising trend in juvenile crimes and the accompanying severity observed over the past two years. The request came from representatives of CSIF Alicante’s Justice sector during a meeting with the Federal Government and the General Directorate of Justice. The aim is to confront the ongoing needs and challenges within the province’s judiciary system.
According to the union, a central point of concern is the establishment of an additional Juvenile Court in Alicante. The proposal envisions more judicial bodies across the province to manage the growing caseload and the workload borne by state courts.
Workload
The surge in juvenile crime has driven a substantial rise in the workload faced by Alicante’s Juvenile Courts in recent years. The increase was particularly pronounced through 2022 and continued into the current year. As a result, CSIF considers the immediate creation of a fourth court essential to mitigate the pressure caused by the volume of matters that fall under this jurisdiction. The union notes that these courts handle juvenile cases on a statewide basis, underscoring the scale of the need.
This requirement has already been acknowledged in the latest special report on the Alicante jurisdiction prepared by the dean earlier this year. The Alicante Children’s Prosecutor’s Office informed CSIF that higher authorities had been apprised of the necessity to establish the fourth court.
Officials from the Alicante Prosecutor’s Office have highlighted a notable uptick in crimes attributed to minors, reporting a 30% rise in 2022. The data point to areas such as sexual assaults among adolescents and youth gang-related violence as particularly worrying trends that further stress the juvenile-justice system.
In this context, CSIF argues that expanding the judicial infrastructure is a pragmatic response to evolving crime patterns and public safety concerns. An additional court would not only distribute caseload more evenly but also enable more timely access to justice for young defendants and victims alike. This perspective aligns with broader calls for capacity-building within the province’s judiciary to ensure consistent due process and effective handling of juvenile cases across the region.
Proponents emphasize that a fourth Juvenile Court would contribute to reducing delays, improving case management, and enhancing the ability of the system to supervise rehabilitation and education programs for youths within the judicial process. The conversation continues to center on how best to allocate resources, recruit qualified professionals, and implement streamlined procedures that protect the rights of minors while strengthening public safety and community trust. The ongoing dialogue reflects a shared commitment to addressing a pressing judicial issue with practical, enforceable solutions. [Source: CSIF Alicante, Justice Sector Reports and Prosecutor’s Office communications]”