„Let’s Talk About Law“ – The interactive discussion series: Youth in Court …

This time, it's Dr. Alessandro Bellardita, presiding judge at the Karlsruhe Juvenile Lay Judges„ Court, is our guest. He discusses the topic “Youth in Court: The Purpose and Limits of Punishment” with Marie-Elisabeth Mirsch.

In the public debate on juvenile crime, there are frequent complaints that sentences handed down to juvenile offenders are too lenient. But what are the goals of punishment—deterrence, rehabilitation, or prevention? And what distinguishes juvenile criminal law from adult criminal law? On November 12, 2025, „Let’s Talk About Law“ with Dr. Alessandro Bellardita will explore the purpose and limits of punishment for young offenders. The juvenile court judge and author will provide insights into his daily work as a judge, discuss the limitations and opportunities of the system, and address current debates, such as lowering the age of criminal responsibility or the criticism that sentences are too lenient. Together with Marie-Elisabeth Miersch from the Forum Recht Foundation, Alessandro Bellardita will virtually open the courtroom on November 12—to provide insights into judicial practice and to address the fundamental question of what the purpose of punishment actually is. The audience is cordially invited to join the discussion and ask their own questions.

More about the guest

Dr. Alessandro Bellardita is the chair of the Juvenile Lay Judges„ Court in Karlsruhe. As a journalist and author, he navigates the tension between law and society—for example, in his latest crime novel, *The Sicilian File*, which explores the Mafia in Germany, or in his legal-political treatise *Democracy and Pluralism*, published earlier this year. Bellardita is familiar with both sides of the criminal justice system: After earning his doctorate and spending his first few years as a lawyer, the native of Sicily worked as a prosecutor specializing in organized crime before becoming a judge in 2017.

Photo: Georg Neureither

About the Event Series

This year, the Forum Recht Foundation is hosting a regular series of discussions titled „Let’s Talk About Recht.“ Each session features guests from various fields of law who discuss their day-to-day work and share their perspectives on a current legal topic—ranging from labor law and tenancy law to freedom of speech.

Learn more about the event series here.

You can listen to the conversation on the Live-On-Tape podcast here. 

Service

Admission is free of charge. Registration is not required.

Please note our Accessibility information for the event venues. 

Doors open 20 minutes before the show starts.

Share your experiences and questions! Join the discussion now on current legal topics from the series at the Participation platform of the Forum Recht Foundation.