[The physician between the delinquent and the judge (author's transl)]

The authors examine three situations in which the physician intervenes between the delinquent and his judge. 1) The Drug Addicts: it is important to distinguish in behavioural disturbances the difference between delinquency and addiction. According to the Law of the 31st of December 1970, the physician becomes an auxiliary to the judicial process. In fact, the opportunity of such an encounter between the physician and the addict can be beneficial to both of them. 2) The juvenile delinquent: The assumed responsibility of the juvenile delinquent falls, on one hand, on the care of his personality, and on the other hand, on his way of life. 3) Article 64 of the Penal Code: this determines the responsibility or the irresponsibility of the delinquent depending upon eventual mental disease. The doctor's position is delicate, in certain cases, it is important to avoid excessive medicalization of a social problem, in others it is necessary to advise the appointment of an expert.