We intend to discuss the application of psychoanalytic theory to public policies towards delinquent adolescents. We start from a review of adolescence and psychoanalytic practice, especially with young offenders. With a case of a teenager in under socio-educational measure in assisted liberty, two considerations raised about psychoanalysis in this service: the uniqueness of the case against the universal legal regulation, as well as limitations and potential of institutional care. We conclude by the importance of the word and the gathering surplus in the subjective labor of the adolescent and finally, we see the need for actions that forward the effects of interventions. We state that the expected social-political effect of applying an educational measure needs to consider the uniqueness of each teenager, of which his or her subjective position is testimony, delimiting a way of being an exception to the rule and inhabiting the world.
adolescence; psychoanalytic clinical; offense; socio-educational measure; muliebrity