The research has analised social representations of infraction and socio-educational measures in adolescents in conflict with the law. It has been used, as theoretical and methodological contribution, the Theory of Social Representations. Forty-six adolescents, who were serving for more than three months the measure of probation, have participated in the survey. Data were collected through interviews with a semi-structured screenplay and have consisted of the technique of free evocation, using the terms infraction and socio-educational measure. It has used the software EVOC for analysis of evocations issued. The results suggest the socio-economic status of adolescents: low family income, low educational level, place of residence precarious, African ethnicity predominant and distance from the religion. Social representations of infraction were related to the types of infractions and theirs causes and consequences. The social representations of socio-educational measures were related to the positive actions that, besides learning, there was the possibility of change.
adolescents in conflict with the law; social representations; infraction; socio-educational measures
