Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Lula backs lowering Brazil's criminal age to 16 for heinous crimes
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva supports lowering the criminal age to 16 for heinous crimes, from the current age of 18.
The debate is part of a Senate bill on public security, which also aims to address organized crime.
Opposition lawmakers have proposed setting the age at 16 generally and allowing 14-year-olds to be tried as adults for heinous crimes.
A separate proposal from government party senator Camilo Santana would set the age at 16 only for serious crimes such as homicide and torture.
Disagreement over the proposals delayed the Senate vote, which had been scheduled for Thursday, and no new date was set.
The delay could push the vote until after the second round of elections, while lawmakers seek agreement on the changes.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he supports lowering Brazil’s age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16 for heinous crimes.
He made the statement during an interview with TV Globo on Thursday, October 15.
The debate is taking place during consideration of a public security amendment in the Senate.
Opposition proposals would lower the age to 16 generally and allow 14-year-olds to be tried as adults for heinous crimes.
The Senate postponed a vote on the amendment after lawmakers failed to reach agreement on proposed changes.
- Who
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he supports the change.
- What
- He backed lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 16 for heinous crimes.
- When
- Thursday, October 15, 2026.
- Where
- In an interview with TV Globo in Brazil.
- Why
- Lula said he supports the change for heinous crimes; the broader debate is taking place during consideration of a public security amendment in the Senate.
Opposition lawmakers
Lula and government lawmakers
Scope of reduction
Opposition lawmakers
The opposition proposal would lower the age to 16 generally and allow 14-year-olds to be tried as adults for heinous crimes.
Lula and government lawmakers
Lula supports lowering the age to 16 for heinous crimes and said the Senate proposal should focus on organized crime.
Senate amendment
Opposition lawmakers
Rogério Marinho’s amendment proposes lowering the age to 16 and allowing 14-year-olds to be tried as adults for heinous crimes.
Lula and government lawmakers
The government sought to pass the public security amendment without changes; a separate proposal from Camilo Santana would lower the age to 16 only for serious crimes such as homicide and torture.
The Senate postponed the public security amendment vote, which had been scheduled for that day, amid disagreement over proposed changes.
Lula said in a TV Globo interview that he supports lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 16 for heinous crimes.
- Current age
- 18
- Lula’s position
- 16 for heinous crimes
- Opposition proposal
- 16 generally; 14 for heinous crimes
- Alternative amendment
- Camilo Santana proposed 16 for serious crimes such as homicide and torture.
- Senate vote
- Postponed on October 15; no new date was set.
4 sources
Lula defends cutting Brazil's criminal responsibility age to 16 for heinous crimes
Líder do PT que propôs emenda sobre maioridade diz a aliados que agiu com aval do Planalto
Lula declara ser favorável à redução da maioridade penal em crimes hediondos para 16 anos
Lula defende redução da maioridade penal para 16 anos para crimes hediondos
What people are saying
As a Brazilian citizen, I think that for any and every heinous crime, I support lowering the age of criminal responsibility.
The problem is that the right wing, from the PL, proposed lowering it to 14.