Daniela Paz Zúñiga Silva and Susan Turner Saelzer
2026 · Psicoperspectivas · Vol. 25, N° 2 · pp. 1–14
The article examines the exercise of the right to be heard by children and adolescents under the age of 14 who engage in early offending behavior in Chilean Family Courts. Based on an analysis of 84 judicial cases and semi-structured interviews with actors in the justice system, the study explores both the direct participation of children and adolescents before judges and their participation mediated through the figure of the guardian ad litem.
Among its main findings, the study identifies limited direct participation by children and adolescents in the proceedings analyzed, as well as various institutional practices that may facilitate or hinder the effective exercise of their right to be heard.
From this perspective, the article contributes to the discussion on the participation of children and adolescents in judicial proceedings that affect them, linking its findings to the principles of evolving capacities, the best interests of the child, and a collaborative approach.
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Zúñiga Silva, D., & Turner Saelzer, S. (2026). Participación de NNA con comportamiento delictivo temprano en audiencias judiciales: derecho a ser oído. Psicoperspectivas, 25(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.5027/psicoperspectivas-Vol25-Issue2-fulltext-3757