This article begins with the observation that sanctions based on retribution for children who have committed criminal offenses are ineffective and have negative consequences for their accountability and development. Emphasizing the added value of the restorative approach, it proposes to make the child in conflict with the law more accountable through its active participation in the judicial process. Participation would allow the expression of their interests, in accordance with the directives of international law, and avoid the consequences of a retributive justice system. First, a historical reminder of the State’s monopoly in criminal justice reaffirms the importance of differentiated justice for minors and highlights the limits of international law. In a second phase, the emergence and contributions of the restorative approach are addressed, before focusing on their application in a juvenile justice framework, and the benefits of child participation.