Evolution of juvenile justice in the Russian legislation of the 20th century

The development of legislation in the field of protection of children's rights is one of the priorities of the policy of the Russian Federation. Based on this, the issue of the creation and functioning of the system of juvenile courts in Russia is often discussed, but scientists and researchers have not come to a consensus on this issue. At the same time, the peculiarities of juvenile justice in the period of the Soviet Union are of interest, since many researchers believe that during the indicated period juvenile justice did not exist in our country. The purpose of this scientific article is to study the history of juvenile justice and all its manifestations during the existence of the Soviet Union, as well as to identify its characteristic features throughout the designated period. Dialectical and historical methods were used as the main research methods, which made it possible to follow this legal institution in its dynamics. In addition, analysis and synthesis were used as methods, as well as a comparative approach, which made it possible to identify the features of juvenile justice at different stages of the twentieth century. Based on the results of consideration of the chosen topic, it was found out that the beginnings of juvenile justice were laid at the beginning of the twentieth century before the October Revolution of 1917, which was expressed in the actual existence of juvenile courts. It was revealed that the period from the 1930s to the 1950s was characterized by an increased level of responsibility for crimes committed by minors. During this period, the status of minors as subjects of a crime practically did not differ from the status of adults. It is concluded that since the 1950s, responsibility for crimes committed by teenagers has been mitigated, guarantees appear in the Criminal Code that ensure the protection of the rights and freedoms of minors.