What happens when minors are caught with cannabis?
For minors, the fixed-penalty procedure does not apply. They are always referred to the juvenile prosecutor. Consequences range from warning through community service to support measures. Parents are notified.
Key facts
- No fixed penalty for < 18
- Referred to juvenile prosecutor
- Parents notified
- Measures: reprimand → support
Detailed answer
The 100 CHF fixed-penalty only applies to adults. For minors (< 18), juvenile criminal law (JStG) always applies: every narcotics offence is referred to the juvenile prosecutor, parents are notified, and in many cantons a report is additionally filed with the child- and adult-protection authority (KESB) once a pattern or a risk to the minor's welfare emerges. Measures range from reprimand through personal service (community work) and written directives to outpatient treatment at youth counselling services (e.g. Sucht Schweiz, cantonal youth psychology services) or, in serious cases, placement. On top of that: possible school notification with disciplinary consequences, delays in the driving-licence course at the road-traffic office, immediate bans on motorised vehicles from age 14 (e-bike, scooter) and an entry in the juvenile criminal record — access is tightly restricted, but for specific later applications (security services, army functions) it can still be requested.