New Panama Law?

[Bubba Hamm]

Has anyone heard of a new law here in Panama that specifically says a thief can steal up to $999.00 and the law will do nothing to him / her?  The thief can steal over and over again and not go to jail, get no record, and not be required to repay the money he steals, if the thief is caught.  Also, if you hurt the thief, you will be required to pay all medical expenses the thief incurs and could go to jail!  This information is coming from a friend in Colon Providence.  I'm just trying to verify this is real?????

[Robert Ratliff]

At a local talk by the Police A Office Chief told us that grown thieves were given 3 PASSES before they were charged. Young thieves are used by gangs because they are not prosecuted. I did hear of a new law about minors but do not remember the details.

minors perpetrate most of the thefts and kidnappings in Panama. A curfew for anyone under 18 has been put in place, and in metropolitan areas the curfew is strictly enforced: even students taking night classes are required to carry permits, and minors caught out without their legal guardians can be jailed until the appropriate adult comes and collects them.

[Keith Woolford]

About 90% incorrect.

[Keith Woolford]

On the contrary, the number of crimes committed against minors continues to increase.

https://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/surge-in-sex-crimes-agai...

[Keith Woolford]

Sentence of 21 years each confirmed for 2 Minors

http://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/confirman-sentencia-de-21-anos-para...

[jim and nena]

The article states:

For the crime of attempted murder, the sentence was imposed on each of 6 years, for the theft they were sentenced to 3 years in prison and for the crime of personal injury the sentence is 2 years of orientation and supervision "">.

So 11 years for each defendant?

Any reports on results of the crimes that happened in Chiriqui? 2015 was a high water mark for violence but all crimes deserve investigation/prosecution.

https://boquete.ning.com/profiles/blogs/crime-and-chiriqui

[Keith Woolford]

Lack of follow-up on a criminal case by casual observers does not mean there were no judicial proceedings or that youths are not held accountable for their actions.

[jim and nena]

I am sure the community would welcome any links, reports, etc on any cases of juvenile incarceration.  The history of the country shows a public resistance to put kids in jail.

If you have access to cases that have successfully prosecuted juveniles, please post the links.

[Bill]

I saw a news item on TVN last week or week before that a guy in PC had been arrested for robbery 3 times in the same week but was let go because he had robbed less than $1000. It may have been in La Prensa also.

[John Clement]

Here in Panama if  a guy under 18 years old is caught in a crime he does not go to court or reform school. He is sent home to his parents. Older gang members recruit the young ones to do the work. 

[jim and nena]

Hola John,

it has been 3 years since the attack but I have not seen anything on what happened to the attackers since this:

"One thing that I would add is the Cap.Arauz said that one minor ( 14 years old ) had been released and one older suspect (17 years old) was still being detained."

https://boquete.ning.com/forum/topics/mark-heyer-s-report-from-the-p...

The 14 YO attacker was released to his god father in Boquete. He would be 17 years old by now and probably released again.