The report examines such criminal legal institutions as the criminal responsibility of minors, the punishment of minors, the release of minors from criminal responsibility and from punishment, compulsory educational measures, cancellation and removal of convictions for minors under the criminal legislation of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. A feature of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is that these issues are enshrined in a separate section of the general part. It is noted that, in comparison with persons who have reached the age of 18, other, smaller terms and sizes of certain types of punishment are established for minors, in addition, the possibility of exemption from criminal liability and from punishment with the use of compulsory educational measures is provided. It was established that the types of compulsory measures of an educational nature that are common under the criminal legislation of the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are warning; transfer of a minor to the supervision of parents or other subjects. Along with this, differences are indicated. Thus, the criminal legislation of Ukraine provides for such compulsory measures of an educational nature as: restriction of leisure and the establishment of special requirements for the behavior of a minor; sending a minor to a special educational institution for children and adolescents prior to his correction; appointment of a child caregiver. In addition, unlike the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova, the list of compulsory educational measures is exhaustive.