The Juvenile Law has been under constant review since the late 1990s, leading to tougher penalties and lower ages for culpability as minors continued to commit serious crimes.

Lawmakers introduced another set of amendments in February, including one to lengthen the maximum prison term — to 20 years versus 15 years now — for a minor who commits a serious crime before the age of 18.

Indefinite terms for a minor who is under 20 at the time of a court ruling would be increased to up to 15 years under the amended law, instead of the 10 years at present.