Age of criminal responsibility

File:Criminal age.svg

Minimum age of reduced criminal responsibility by country

Template:Criminal defenses Template:Youth rights sidebar Template:Criminology and penology The age of criminal responsibility is the age below which a child is deemed incapable of having committed a criminal offence. In legal terms, it is referred to as a defence/defense of infancy, which is a form of defense known as an excuse so that defendants falling within the definition of an "infant" are excluded from criminal liability for their actions, if at the relevant time, they had not reached an age of criminal responsibility. After reaching the initial age, there may be levels of responsibility dictated by age and the type of offense committed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Under the English common law the defense of infancy was expressed as a set of presumptions in a doctrine known as doli incapax.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A child under the age of seven was presumed incapable of committing a crime. The presumption was conclusive, prohibiting the prosecution from offering evidence that the child had the capacity to appreciate the nature and wrongfulness of what they had done. Children aged 7–13 were presumed incapable of committing a crime but the presumption was rebuttable. The prosecution could overcome the presumption by proving that the child understood what they were doing and that it was wrong. In fact, capacity was a necessary element of the state's case (thus, the rule of sevens doctrine arose). If the state failed to offer sufficient evidence of capacity, the infant was entitled to have the charges dismissed at the close of the state's evidence. Doli incapax was abolished in England and Wales in 1998 for children over the age of 10,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but persists in other common law jurisdictions.

Terminology

The terminology regarding such a defense varies by jurisdiction and sphere. "Defense of infancy" is a mainly US term.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The "age of criminal responsibility" is used by most European countries, the UK,<ref>Stattin, Hekan, and David Magnusson. "Stability and change in criminal behaviour up to age 30." British Journal of Criminology 31.4 (1991): 327-346.</ref> Australia, New Zealand<ref name=nz>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and other Commonwealth of Nations countries.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Other instances of usage have included the terms age of accountability,<ref>Ranson, Stewart. "Public accountability in the age of neo-liberal governance." J. Education Policy 18.5 (2003): 459-480.</ref> age of responsibility,<ref>Platt, Anthony, and Bernard L. Diamond. "The origins of the right and wrong test of criminal responsibility and its subsequent development in the United States: An historical survey." Cal. L. Rev. 54 (1966): 1227.</ref> and age of liability.<ref>Ferreira, Nuno. "Putting the age of criminal and tort liability into context: A dialogue between law and psychology." The International Journal of Children's Rights 16.1 (2008): 29-54.</ref>

The term minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) is a term commonly used in the literature.<ref name=mcalister>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name=nz/>

The rationale behind the age of accountability laws are the same as those behind the insanity defense, insinuating both the mentally disabled and the young lack apprehension.<ref>Roberts, Caton F., Stephen L. Golding, and Frank D. Fincham. "Implicit theories of criminal responsibility: Decision making and the insanity defense." Law and Human Behavior 11.3 (1987): 207.</ref>

The age of criminal responsibility

Template:Also Governments enact laws to label certain types of activity as wrongful or illegal. Behavior of a more antisocial nature can be stigmatized in a more positive way to show society's disapproval through the use of the word criminal. In this context, laws tend to use the phrase, "age of criminal responsibility" in two different ways:<ref name=":3" />

1. As a definition of the process for dealing with an alleged offender, the range of ages specifies the exemption of a child from the adult system of prosecution and punishment. Most jurisdictions develop special juvenile justice systems in parallel to the adult criminal justice system. Here, the hearings are essentially welfare-based and deal with children as in need of compulsory measures of treatment and/or care. Children are diverted into this system when they have committed what would have been an offense as an adult.
2. As the physical capacity of a child to commit a crime. Hence, children are deemed incapable of committing some sexual or other acts requiring abilities of a more mature quality.

Discussion

Template:See also This is an aspect of the public policy of parens patriae. In the criminal law, each state will consider the nature of its own society and the available evidence of the age at which antisocial behaviors begins to manifest itself. Some societies will have qualities of indulgence toward the young and inexperienced, and will not wish them to be exposed to the criminal law system before all other avenues of response have been exhausted. Hence, some states have a policy of doli incapax (i.e. incapable of wrong) and exclude liability for all acts and omissions that would otherwise have been criminal after reaching a specified age.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Hence, no matter what the child may have done, there cannot be a criminal prosecution. However, although no criminal liability is inferred, other aspects of law may be applied. For example, in Nordic countries, an offense by a person under 15 years of age is considered mostly a symptom of problems in child's development. This will cause the social authorities to take appropriate administrative measures to secure the development of the child. Such measures may range from counseling to placement at a special care unit. Being non-judicial, the measures are not dependent on the severity of the offense committed but on the overall circumstances of the child.<ref name=":3">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The policy of treating minors as incapable of committing crimes does not necessarily reflect modern sensibilities. Thus, if the rationale of the excuse is that children below a certain age lack the capacity to form the mens rea of an offense, this may no longer be a sustainable argument. Indeed, given the different speeds at which people may develop both physically and intellectually, any form of explicit age limit may be arbitrary and irrational. Yet, the sense that children do not deserve to be exposed to criminal punishment in the same way as adults remains strong. Children have not had experience of life, nor do they have the same mental and intellectual capacities as adults. Hence, it might be considered unfair to treat young children in the same way as adults.<ref name=":3" />

In Scotland, the age of criminal responsibility was raised from 8 to 12 by the implementation of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019,<ref name=scotact2019>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which came into force on 31 March 2020.<ref name=scotreg2020>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=scotcab>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In England and Wales and Northern Ireland, the age of responsibility is 10 years, and in the Netherlands and Canada the age of responsibility is 12 years. Sweden, Finland, and Norway all set the age at 15 years. In the United States, the minimum age for federal crimes is 11 years. State minimums vary, with 24 states having no defined minimum age, and defined minimums ranging from 7 years in Florida to 13 years in Maryland and New Hampshire.<ref name="NJJN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

As the treaty parties of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court could not agree on a minimum age for criminal responsibility, they chose to solve the question procedurally and excluded the jurisdiction of the Court for persons under eighteen years.Template:Citation needed

Some jurisdictions do not have a set fixed minimum age, but leave discretion to prosecutors to argue or the judges to rule on whether the child or adolescent ("juvenile") defendant understood that what was being done was wrong. If the defendant did not understand the difference between right and wrong, it may not be considered appropriate to treat such a person as culpable. Alternatively, the lack of real fault in the offender can be recognized by rulings that avoid criminal sentences and/or address more practical matters of parental responsibility by adjusting the rights of parents to unsupervised custody, or by separate criminal proceedings against the parents for breach of their duties as parents.Template:Citation needed

By country

The following are the minimum ages at which people may be charged with a criminal offence in each country:

Country	Template:Longitem	Template:Longitem	Template:Abbr	Notes
Template:Flag	12		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Minimum age of criminal responsibility is 12. Children aged 7–12 can be subject to warnings, supervision by social services, or confinement to a rehabilitation centre.
Template:Flag	14	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Article 1 of the Code distinguishes between offences and contraventions. Article 12 mandates that the latter (which are less serious) have a higher age limit of 16.
Template:Flag	13	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	12	18/21	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Template:Flag	14		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Minimum and maximum sentences are reduced by two thirds between 14 and 16, and half between 16 and 18. The needs of rehabilitation and social reintegration are also to be taken into account for minors.
Template:Flag	8	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || According to Articles 1 and 3 of the Juvenile Act, Courts must have regard to the welfare of those under 16.
Template:Flag	16	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	14		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	10/14	18/21	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Age of criminal responsibility in Australia. Review under way since 2019.<ref name=lc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} PDF Template:Webarchive</ref> Rebuttable presumption of incapacity until age 14.<ref name="aic.gov.au"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> Juvenile offenders aged 14–17 are always held criminally responsible, but they are always tried as young/juvenile offenders, meaning generally more lenient sentences compared to adults. Also, juvenile offenders' photos and names usually cannot be released by the media, and access to the juvenile court list/courtroom is restricted to authorized people only. Nevertheless, juvenile offenders convicted still obtain a permanent (but usually sealable or annuable) criminal record as if they were adults (hence the criminal responsibility), but with generally reduced waiting times and often more lenient standards for convictions to become 'spent' or 'annulled' depending on Commonwealth, State, or Territory legislation applicable. Full adult criminal responsibility in terms of sentencing and conviction annullement eligibility at age 18 (21 in Victoria).
Template:Flag	14	18/21	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	14	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	15		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	9		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	14	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	16 is the standard age of criminal liability in Belarus. Minors between 14 and 16 years old are responsible only for certain severe crimes, according to article 27 of the Belarusian Criminal Code.
Template:Flag	12		<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag	7		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	13		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	10		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	14		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Lowered in July 2014 from 16 to 14.
Template:Flag	14		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	8		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	12	18	<ref>Federal Constitution (in Portuguese) Template:Webarchive, Article 228. Retrieved 2 January 2011.</ref><ref>Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (pt) Template:Webarchive, Seção V. Retrieved 2 May 2013</ref><ref name="unicef.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Full criminal responsibility from age 18, with a juvenile judiciary system for offenders aged between 12 and 18 who can be sentenced to a maximum of 3 years of imprisonment in separate juvenile jails.
Template:Flag	7		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	14		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The maximum sentence that can be imposed on juvenile offenders can be no more than 12 years of imprisonment if the offenders are between 16 and 18 and no more than 10 years if they are between 14 and 16. Juvenile offenders serve their sentences in separate prisons up to the age of 18.
Template:Flag	13		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	15		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	10		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	12	14	<ref>Criminal Code, RSC 1985, c C-46, s. 13; may receive reduced sentencing under the Youth Criminal Justice Act until age 18.</ref>	Children aged 12 or 13 can be sentenced to no more than 10 years of imprisonment, and children aged 14-17 can be sentenced to life imprisonment
Template:Flag	16		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	13		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14	16	<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>||
Template:Flag	12	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Since 1 March 2021, children between 12 and 14 can be held criminally responsible for intentional homicide or injury leading to death or severe disability committed with extreme cruelty subject to approval by the Supreme People's Procuratorate. Template:Hidden
Template:Flag	14	18	<ref name="unicef.org"/>
Template:Flag	13/14-15		<ref name="crin_africa"/>	Depends whether Sharia Law or the Penal Code is applied.
Template:Flag	12		<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	Even though legal procedures and punishment are different for offenders who are under 18, all offenders who are 12 or older may be sentenced to as much as 15 years of incarceration.
Template:Flag	10		Template:Citation needed
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Template:Flag	15	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag (including Faroe Islands)<ref>Faroese Criminal Code Template:Webarchive (2020), § 15</ref>	15	18	<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag	14	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Template:Flag	13		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	12	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	12	18	Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	12		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	16		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	12		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14	18/21	<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag	7	14	<ref name="crin_africa"/>
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Template:Flag	10		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	15	18	<ref>Penal Code Template:Webarchive 3:1 § (39/1889, as changed by 515/2003). Retrieved 31 October 2007.</ref>
Template:Flag	13	18	<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag	13		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	12		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Section 33 of Criminal code of Georgia defines that minors between 14 and 17 can be charged with criminal responsibility by juvenile justice.
Template:Flag	14	18/21	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Minors between 14 and 17 are sentenced by juvenile justice. A young adult between 18 and 21 years may still be sentenced by juvenile justice if considered mentally immature.
Template:Flag	12		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	15	18/21	Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	10		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	16		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	10		<ref name="ReferenceA">Section 3 of the Juvenile Offenders Ordinance 2003 (Chapter 226, Laws of Hong Kong)</ref>
Template:Flag	12	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>||12 only for premeditated homicide, voluntary manslaughter and bodily harm leading to death or resulting in life-threatening injuries; 14 for other crimes; Full criminal responsibility from age 18.<ref name="politics.hu"/>
Template:Flag	15	18	<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag	7	12	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Rebuttable presumption of incapacity until age 12. Minors could be detained for up to a maximum of 3 years, but in 2015, this maximum was raised to 7 years and minors aged between 16 and 18 can be tried as adults for heinous offences such as murder, rape, etc. They cannot, however, be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
Template:Flag	12	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	9 (girls), 15 (boys)		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Template:Flag	9		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	10	12	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Exception for children aged 10 or 11, who can be charged with murder, manslaughter, rape, or aggravated sexual assault.
Template:Flag	12		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	14		<ref name=":4" />	Juvenile judiciary system for offenders aged between 14 and 18; separate juvenile halls.
Template:Flag	14		<ref name=":2" />	Juvenile Training Schooling for offenders aged between 11 and 14.
Template:Flag	12		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	14	16	<ref>Penal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan Template:Webarchive (2014), Art. 15</ref>
Template:Flag	8		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14	18/21	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	7		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	14	18	<ref>CRIMINAL CODE OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC Template:Webarchive (2006), Art. 18</ref>
Template:Flag	15		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14	18	Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	7		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	10		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	7		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14	18	<ref>Penal Code of Libya Template:Webarchive (2014), Art. 80/81</ref>
Template:Flag	14	18/21	Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14	16	Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	15		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	13		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	7		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	10		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Hidden
Template:Flag	15	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Sharia law allows pubescent minors below 15 to be held responsible for certain severe crimes, as well as minors 15 and above without a rebuttal of presumption of incapacity.
Template:Flag	13		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	7		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	0	14	<ref name="crin_africa"/>	There is no minimum age for criminal responsibility. Children below age 14 can only face incarceration if they are proven to have enough discernment between right and wrong.
Template:Flag	12	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Incarceration starting at age 14. Other measures applied for ages 12–13.
Template:Flag	14	16/21	Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Children between 14 and 16 years old responsible only for certain severe crimes.
Template:Flag	14		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	12		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	16		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	7	12	<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	7	12	<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	10		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	12/16-21	16-21/22	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	From age 16, persons may be tried as adults or as children ("jeugdstrafrecht"). The maximum age for a person to be tried as a minor is 21.
Template:Flag	10	14	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="occ-nz-legalagecrime">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Rebuttable presumption of incapacity until age 14. Children aged 10 and 11 can only be convicted of murder or manslaughter; children aged 12 and 13 can only be convicted of crimes with a maximum imprisonment of at least 14 years, but this may be increased circumstantially. See Youth justice in New Zealand.
Template:Flag	13		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	13		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	7		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	16	18	Template:Citation needed	Persons aged 14 to 16 years at the time they committed an offence, known as "younger juveniles" within the Criminal Code, can only be sentenced to educational measures
Template:Flag	15	18	<ref>Penal Code Template:Webarchive Almindelig borgerlig Straffelov (Straffeloven) § 46 (changed of law 12 June 1987 nr. 51). Retrieved 19/7 – 2007.</ref>
Template:Flag	9		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	7	12	<ref name=":2" />	There is a rebuttable presumption that a child aged between 7 and 12 years old is incapable of committing a crime.
Template:Flag	10		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	7		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	12		Template:Citation needed	Lowered in 2010 from 14 to 12.
Template:Flag	14		citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Minor offenders can be sentenced to a maximum of 8 years of imprisonment.
Template:Flag	14	18	<ref name="unicef.org"/>	Template:Hidden
Template:Flag	15	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }} (effective 15 April 2002)</ref>	On 28 January 2019, the House of Representatives passed a bill proposing to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 15 years to 12 years with a vote of 146–34.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Template:As of, some child rights advocates were opposing this and other related bills in favor of a less fragmented approach addressing children's issues.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	13	17	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Hidden
Template:Flag	16	18/21	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	7		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	16	18	<ref name=":4" />	A child aged 14 to 16 can only be held criminally liable where it can be proved that he or she had "discernment"Template:Hidden
Template:Flag	14	16	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Template:Hidden
Template:Flag	14		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14	18/21	<ref>Sanmarinese Penal Code Template:Webarchive (2019), Art. 10 par. 1</ref><ref>Sanmarinese Penal Code Template:Webarchive (2019), Art. 10 par. 2, 3</ref>
Template:Flag	16		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	12		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	13		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14	18	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	Persons aged 14 or 15 ("younger juveniles") can only be sentenced to educational measures
Template:Flag	7		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	10		<ref>Template:Singapore legislation, section 82</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	The Penal Code Review Committee proposed to increase the age to 10. Offenders between 16 and 21 are classed as Young Adults and may be considered for reformative training.
Template:Flag	14		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14	18/21	<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag	8		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	14/15		<ref name="crin_africa"/>	15 in Somaliland, 14 in the rest of the country.
Template:Flag	12	14	<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite act</ref>	The age of criminal capacity was raised to 12 by the Child Justice Amendment Act, 2019. There is a rebuttable presumption that a child between the ages of 12 and 14 lacks criminal capacity.
Template:Flag	12	14	<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	12		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14	18	<ref>Spanish Penal Code Template:Webarchive (2019), Art. 19</ref><ref name="boe.es">Spanish Regulation Law on the Penal Responsibility of Minors Template:Webarchive (2012), Art. 1 par. 1</ref><ref>Spanish Penal Code Template:Webarchive (2019), Art. 69</ref>	Template:Hidden
Template:Flag	12	14	<ref name=":2" />	Rebuttable presumption of incapacity until age 14.
Template:Flag	12	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	15	18	<ref name=":4" />	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	10	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Children aged 15 years at the time an offence was committed cannot be sentenced to more than one year of detentionTemplate:Hidden
Template:Flag	10		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	12/14	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Minors between 12 and 14 cannot be trialed in criminal court, but could still be sentenced to juvenile probation or sent to correctional schools. Minors between 14 and 18 are subject to Criminal Code but qualify for reduction of sentence. Finally, the death penalty and life imprisonment cannot be sentenced to minor offenders.
Template:Flag	14	16	<ref>CRIMINAL CODE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN Template:Webarchive (2006), Art. 23</ref>
Template:Flag	7		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	7	14	<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	16		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	14		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	12	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	14	16	<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	13		Template:Citation needed
Template:Flag	12		<ref name="crin_africa"/>
Template:Flag	14	16	<ref name=":4" />
Template:Flag	7		<ref name=":2" />
Template:Flag	10/12	12/15	<ref>The Children and Young Persons Act 1933 (23 & 24 Geo.5 c.12), section 50; as amended by The Children and Young Persons Act 1963 (c.37), section 16(1) [1] Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=scotact2019/><ref name=scotreg2020/><ref name=scotcab/>	10 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Usually persons aged 10–11 will only be imprisoned in very serious cases, such as murder. Even more so the outcome for youth (12–17) criminal proceedings are usually age categorised (currently it will depend on whether the offender is under 12, under 14, under 16 or under 18, with the older the offender the more severity of punishment, especially for serious crimes). 12 in Scotland. Children under 12 cannot be convicted or get a criminal record; from 12 to 15, decision usually made by the Children's Reporter whether to refer to a children's hearing, which can lead to a criminal record, but could be prosecuted for a criminal offence if the offence is serious.
Template:Flag	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	varies by state<ref name="ICJMatrix"/>	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	At the federal level, the minimum age of juvenile delinquency is 11 years, while 24 states have no minimum age of delinquency. The standards for transferal of juveniles to adult courts varies by state and may combine statutory limits with prosecutorial and judicial discretion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="NJJN"/>
Template:Flag	13	18	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Flag	13	16	<ref name=":2" />	"Persons can be held criminally responsible for all offences committed after they have reached the age of 16, and for intentional killing from the age of 13, and for other specifically named offences from the age of 14. [Criminal Code, Article 17]"
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Juvenile courts

In some countries, a juvenile court is a court of special jurisdiction charged with adjudicating cases involving crimes committed by those who have not yet reached a specific age. If convicted in a juvenile court, the offender is found "responsible" for their actions as opposed to "guilty" of a criminal offense. Sometimes, in some jurisdictions (such as the United States of America), a minor may be tried as an adult.

See also

• Age of candidacy
• Reasonable person
• Youth
• Youth rights
• Youth suffrage

Further reading

• Maher, Gerry. Age and Criminal Responsibility. 2005 Vol 2. Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law. 493 Wayback Machine
• CRC Country Reports (1992–1996); Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Delinquency in Central and Eastern Europe, 1995; United Nations, Implementation of UN Mandates on Juvenile Justice in ESCAP, 1994; Geert Cappelaere, Children's Rights Centre, University of Gent, Belgium.