The initiative to release minors from criminal liability arising for small crimes and average gravity crimes will reduce the workload for the police and will contribute to departing from the so called “discipline of the rod” system, believes Timur Khutov, Head of Criminal Law Practice, BMS Law Firm. “There is no talking about forgiving murderers and rapists”, the lawyer emphasized in his conversation with RBC. “However, criminal liability for a number of petty offences in Russia can be imposed starting from the age of 14. It is obvious that not every child in this age is able to fully recognize the consequences of his or her actions”, the expert ays.