The manifestations of discontent by minors in recent years have become increasingly violent, thus leading to an increase in crimes. Not only is the proportion of violent crimes committed by minors on the rise, but they are also associated to be victims of violent crimes. The phenomenon is more visible in urban areas due to overpopulation; thus leading to the formation of slums “off-limits” areas and “no man’s land. According to the latest UN-Habitat publication regarding Urban Development and Management, the absolute number of slum dwellers continues to grow, due to the fast tempo of urbanization. The problem has been further exacerbated by the lack of record-keeping and a wide array of institutions. This means that the exact number of minors held worldwide in such environments is not known. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (hereinafter referred to as UNICEF), more than 1 million children are behind bars; some are held in decrepit, abusive and demeaning conditions, deprived of education, access to meaningful activities, and regular contact with the outside world. Many of whom were convicted for crimes committed when they were minors, have received excessive or disproportionate sentences at national detention centres contrary to international law, which requires that imprisonment of minors must be in “conformity with the law and should be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate time”. Although the International criminal justice standards establish that every minor in conflict with the law must be treated per the rules of juvenile justice and that minors can be arrested only if they have reached the minimum age of criminal responsibility, which should not be lower than 12 years. However, contrary to the international mechanism put in place, detention procedures around the globe not excluding Cameroon rarely responds to their individual characteristics and specific needs, including the need for appropriate education, contact with family, the wider community, and recreation as posing a real danger to others. However, many countries have adopted measures within their national legal framework to safeguard the interest of juveniles. The purpose of this paper is to examine the national legal framework relating to juvenile justice enacted by Cameroon, albeit the extent to which the international commitments have been fulfilled nationally. The answer to this question has been addressed from three main perspectives; the perspective of international, regional as well as domestic/national law.