“Juvenile Justice in Practice: A Study on Rights Awareness, Legal Representation, Anticipatory Bail, and Rehabilitation under the JJ Act 2015”

Abstract

This study examines the lived experiences of juveniles aged 16–18 who have come into contact with the legal process under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to capture data on demographics, legal-process experiences, awareness of anticipatory bail, and access to rehabilitation. The findings reveal four major concerns: low awareness of rights and the preliminary-assessment process, uneven access to legal representation with mixed levels of satisfaction, limited awareness and use of anticipatory bail provisions, and inadequate emphasis on rehabilitation and psychosocial support. The discussion connects these results to broader judicial trends and highlights the importance of child-centric safeguards, reasoned preliminary assessments, and reintegration. The paper concludes by offering a practical checklist for Juvenile Justice Boards, legal aid providers, and child-protection agencies, along with policy recommendations to standardize assessments and strengthen information delivery.