View source for Age of criminal responsibility

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{{Short description|Minimum age of a child committed crime}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}[[File:Criminal age.svg|400px|thumb|right|Minimum age of criminal responsibility by country]]
{{Criminal defenses}}
{{Youth rights sidebar}}
{{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 (legal)|defense]] known as an [[excuse]] so that [[defendant]]s falling within the definition of an "[[infant]]" are excluded from [[crime|criminal]] [[legal liability|liability]] for their [[action (philosophy)|action]]s, 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>{{Cite web |last=Academy |first=The British |date=2022-04-01 |title=Age of Criminal Responsibility |url=https://medium.com/reframing-childhood-past-and-present/age-of-criminal-responsibility-1e7714db9c1c |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=Reframing Childhood Past and Present |language=en}}</ref>

Under the English common law the [[Defense (legal)|defense]] of infancy was expressed as a set of presumptions in a doctrine known as '''''doli incapax'''''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Doctrine of 'Doli Incapax' {{!}} Office of Justice Programs |url=https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/doctrine-doli-incapax |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=www.ojp.gov}}</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 [[Rebuttable presumption|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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/37/section/34|title=Crime and Disorder Act 1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldjudgmt/jd090429/jtb-1.htm|title=House of Lords - R v JTB (Appellant) (on appeal from the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division))|first=Law Lords|last=Department|website=publications.parliament.uk|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027185659/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldjudgmt/jd090429/jtb-1.htm|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-criminallaw/chapter/6-2-infancy-intoxication-ignorance-and-mistake/|title=6.2 Infancy, Intoxication, Ignorance, and Mistake|website=ER Services|series=Criminal Law|access-date=25 August 2020|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125170332/https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-criminallaw/chapter/6-2-infancy-intoxication-ignorance-and-mistake/|url-status=live}}</ref> The "age of criminal responsibility" is [[Age of criminal responsibility in Europe|used by most European countries]], the [[United Kingdom|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>  [[Age of criminal responsibility in Australia|Australia]], [[New Zealand]]<ref name=nz>{{cite web|url=https://cycj.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MACR-International-Profile-New-Zealand.pdf|title=Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) – Comparative Analysis International Profile – New Zealand|first=Yanna|last=Papadodimitraki|date=2016|publisher=Centre for Youth & Criminal Justice|access-date=25 August 2020|journal=|archive-date=17 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217180215/https://cycj.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/MACR-International-Profile-New-Zealand.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and other [[Commonwealth of Nations]] countries.<ref>{{cite journal|last= Sharma|first= Vishnu D.|title= The Age of Criminal Responsibility in India|journal= Journal of the Indian Law Institute|volume= 12|issue= 1|date= 1970|jstor= 43950059|pages= 139–50|access-date= 25 August 2020|url= http://www.jstor.org/stable/43950059|archive-date= 3 August 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162938/https://www.jstor.org/stable/43950059|url-status= live}}</ref> Other instances of usage have included the terms [[Coming of age|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>[[Anthony Platt|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>{{cite journal | last1=McAlister | first1=Siobhan | last2=Carr | first2=Nicola | last3=Dwyer | first3=Clare D. | last4=Lloyd | first4=Katrina | title=Raise the Age? Children's Attitudes Towards the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility | website=papers.ssrn.com | date=19 June 2017 | ssrn=2988947 | url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2988947 | access-date=25 August 2020 | archive-date=3 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162921/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2988947 | url-status=live }}</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==

{{also|Minor (law)}}
[[Government]]s enact laws to label certain types of activity as wrongful or illegal. Behavior of a more [[Anti-social behaviour|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" />  
#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 [[Jurisdiction (area)|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.
#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==
{{See also|Criminal responsibility in French law}}
This is an aspect of the [[public policy (law)|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>{{cite journal|author=Dalby JT. |title=Criminal liability in children |journal=Canadian Journal of Criminology |year=1985 |volume=27 |issue=2 |pages=137–145|doi=10.3138/cjcrim.27.2.137 }}</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">{{Cite web |last=KKIENERM |title=Crime Prevention & Criminal Justice Module 13 Key Issues: Topic four - Justice for children in conflict with the law |url=https://www.unodc.org/e4j/en/crime-prevention-criminal-justice/module-13/key-issues/4--justice-for-children-in-conflict-with-the-law.html |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=[[unodc.org]] |language=en}}</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>{{cite web | title=Youth justice: Raising the age of criminal responsibility | website=gov.scot | date=7 May 2019 | url=https://www.gov.scot/policies/youth-justice/raising-age-criminal-responsibility/ | access-date=20 October 2020 | archive-date=19 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019210729/http://www.gov.scot/policies/youth-justice/raising-age-criminal-responsibility/ | url-status=live }}</ref> which came into force on 31 March 2020.<ref name=scotreg2020>{{cite web | title=The Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2020 | website=Legislation.gov.uk | date=11 March 2020 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/74/regulation/1/made | access-date=20 October 2020 | archive-date=3 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162920/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2020/74/regulation/1/made | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=scotcab>{{cite web | title=Young people and the law | website=Citizens Advice Scotland | url=http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/law-and-courts/legal-system-s/taking-legal-action-s/young-people-and-the-law-s/ | access-date=20 October 2020 | archive-date=20 October 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020074115/https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/law-and-courts/legal-system-s/taking-legal-action-s/young-people-and-the-law-s/ | url-status=live }}</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">{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Jill |last2=Long |first2=Isabelle |date=July 2023 |title=Minimum Age Laws for Juvenile Court Jurisdiction and Confinement |website=nyjn.org |publisher=National Juvenile Justice Network |url=https://nyjn.org/wp-content/uploads/Updated072524_Minimum-Age-Laws-for-Juvenile-Court-Jurisdiction-and-Confinement.pdf |access-date=26 November 2024 }}</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.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Some jurisdictions do not have a set fixed minimum age, but leave discretion to [[prosecutor]]s to argue or the [[judge]]s 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 [[Culpability|culpable]]. Alternatively, the lack of real fault in the offender can be recognized by rulings that avoid criminal [[Sentence (law)|sentences]] and/or address more practical matters of [[parental responsibility (access and custody)|parental responsibility]] by adjusting the rights of [[parent]]s to unsupervised custody, or by separate criminal proceedings against the parents for breach of their [[parental responsibility (criminal)|duties]] as parents.{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

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

{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
!style="width: 16em;"| Country
!style="width: 4em;" | {{longitem|Age {{smaller|(reduced)}}{{efn|For only certain severe crimes and/or rebuttable ''doli incapax''. May also imply reduced sentencing/punishment for all crimes}}}}
!{{longitem|Age {{smaller|(full)}}{{efn|For all crimes and/or full responsibility (in terms of sentencing).}}}}
!class="unsortable"  | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference}}
!class="unsortable"  | Notes
|-
| {{flag|Afghanistan}}  
| 12
|
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/70278/97836/F566579256/AFG70278%20English.pdf|title=Afghanistan Juvenile Code, Article 10|website=ilo.org|access-date=15 May 2019|archive-date=6 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706184535/https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/70278/97836/F566579256/AFG70278%20English.pdf|url-status=live}}</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.
|-
| {{flag|Albania}}  
| 14
| 16
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hidaa.gov.al/english/laws/penal%20code.pdf|title=Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania, Article 12.|website=hidaa.gov.al|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090231/http://www.hidaa.gov.al/english/laws/penal%20code.pdf|url-status=live}}</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. 
|-
| {{flag|Algeria}}  
| 13
| 18
|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premier-ministre.gov.dz/images/stories/dossier/Codes/code_p%E9nal.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924081141/http://www.premier-ministre.gov.dz/images/stories/dossier/Codes/code_p%E9nal.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Algerian Penal Code, Article 49|website=premier-ministre.gov.dz|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Andorra}}  
| 12
| 18/21
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/library/1999_Criminal_Code_Andorra_Cat.pdf|title=Criminal Code of Andorra, Article 2|website=youthpolicy.org|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430160148/https://www.youthpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/library/1999_Criminal_Code_Andorra_Cat.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> ||
|-
| {{flag|Angola}}  
| 14
| ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=244267|title=Angola|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=19 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019134918/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=244267|url-status=live}}</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.
|-
| {{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}} 
| 8
|16
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-229.pdf|title=Juvenile Act, Article 8|website=gov.ag|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821045921/http://www.laws.gov.ag/acts/chapters/cap-229.pdf|archive-date=21 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> || According to Articles 1 and 3 of the Juvenile Act, Courts must have regard to the welfare of those under 16.
|-
| {{flag|Argentina}}  
| 16
| 18
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/newsfromargentina/debates-over-lowering-the-criminal-responsibility-age/|title=Debates Over Lowering the Criminal Responsibility Age|work=The Argentina Independent|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815141226/http://www.argentinaindependent.com/currentaffairs/newsfromargentina/debates-over-lowering-the-criminal-responsibility-age/|archive-date=15 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Ley 22.278 Régimen Penal de la Minoridad Articles 1–2|url = http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/110000-114999/114167/texact.htm|website = infoleg.mecon.gov.ar|access-date = 16 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160109182945/http://infoleg.mecon.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/110000-114999/114167/texact.htm|archive-date = 9 January 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>  
| 
|-
|{{flag|Armenia}}  
| 14
| ||<ref>{{Cite web|title = Criminal Code (2003) Article 24|url = http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1349&lang=eng|website = www.parliament.am|access-date = 16 December 2015|archive-date = 15 July 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150715213048/http://www.parliament.am/legislation.php?sel=show&ID=1349&lang=eng|url-status = live}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Australia}}  
|10/14
|18/21
| <ref name="aic.gov.au">{{cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca191482/index.html#s4m|title=CRIMES ACT 1914 s 4M|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620090835/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca191482/index.html#s4m|url-status=live}}</ref>   
| [[Age of criminal responsibility in Australia]]. Review under way since 2019.<ref name=lc>{{cite web | title=Council of Attorneys-General – Age of Criminal Responsibility Working Group Review | website=Law Council of Australia | date=29 July 2020 | url=https://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/resources/submissions/council-of-attorneys-general-age-of-criminal-responsibility-working-group-review | access-date=6 August 2020 | archive-date=18 July 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718014016/https://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/resources/submissions/council-of-attorneys-general-age-of-criminal-responsibility-working-group-review | url-status=live }} [https://www.lawcouncil.asn.au/publicassets/c74ddce5-375c-ea11-9404-005056be13b5/3772%20-%20CAG%20Review%20of%20age%20of%20criminal%20responsibility.pdf PDF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227222935/https://lawcouncil.asn.au/publicassets/c74ddce5-375c-ea11-9404-005056be13b5/3772%20-%20CAG%20Review%20of%20age%20of%20criminal%20responsibility.pdf |date=27 February 2021 }}</ref><br />[[Rebuttable presumption]] of incapacity until age 14.<ref name="aic.gov.au"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca191482/|title=Crimes Act 1914 s 4N|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=1 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801102309/http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca191482/|url-status=live}}</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).
|-
| {{flag|Austria}}  
| 14
| 18/21
| <ref>{{Cite web|title = Jugendgerichtsgesetz (1988) §1(1–2) and 4|url = https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10002825|website = www.ris.bka.gv.at|access-date = 16 December 2015|archive-date = 22 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222095159/https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10002825|url-status = live}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{flag|Azerbaijan}}  
| 14
| 16
| <ref>{{Cite web|title = Criminal Code of the Azerbaijan Republic (2000) Article 20 (1–2). [Note: unofficial translation.]|url = http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1658/file/4b3ff87c005675cfd74058077132.htm/preview|website = www.legislationline.org|access-date = 16 December 2015|archive-date = 13 August 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150813035757/http://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1658/file/4b3ff87c005675cfd74058077132.htm/preview|url-status = live}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Bahrain}}
|15
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.icmec.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ICMEC-Bahrain-National-Legislation.pdf|title=Bahrain - International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Bangladesh}}  
| 9
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Belarus}}
|14
|16
| <ref>{{Cite web|title = Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus (1999). [Note: unofficial translation.]|url = https://cis-legislation.com/document.fwx?rgn=1977/preview|website = www.cis-legislation.com|access-date = 2 January 2020|archive-date = 3 August 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162922/https://cis-legislation.com/document.fwx?rgn=1977%2Fpreview|url-status = live}}</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.
|-
| {{flag|Belgium}}  
| 12
| ||<ref name=":4" /> ||
|-
|{{Flag|Belize}}
|7
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juvenile Justice Information Portfolio - Committee on the Rights of the Child - 3. State Party Reports: Belize |url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/portfolios/documents/360_belize.htm |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.unicef-irc.org}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Benin}}
|13
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juvenile Justice Information Portfolio - Committee on the Rights of the Child - 3. State Party Reports: Benin |url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/portfolios/documents/361_benin.htm#:~:text=Under%20criminal%20law%20majority%20is,legal%20irresponsibility%20in%20criminal%20law). |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.unicef-irc.org}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Bhutan}}  
| 10
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Bolivia}}  
| 14
| ||<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elpotosi.net/2014/07/18/13.php|title=Rige Ley donde se reduce la edad de imputabilidad de los menores|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031053739/http://www.elpotosi.net/2014/07/18/13.php|archive-date=31 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jornadanet.com/n.php?a=105666-1|title=Bolivia – Edad de responsabilidad penal ordinaria es desde los 18 años – JORNADA|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=22 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222062459/http://www.jornadanet.com/n.php?a=105666-1|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Lowered in July 2014 from 16 to 14.
|-
|{{Flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|14
|
| {{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Botswana}}
|8
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.icmec.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ICMEC-Botswana-National-Legislation.pdf|title=Botswana National Child Protection Legislation}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Brazil}}  
| 12
| 18
| <ref>[http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/ConstituicaoCompilado.htm Federal Constitution (in Portuguese)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505161928/http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/ConstituicaoCompilado.htm |date=5 May 2016 }}, Article 228. Retrieved 2 January 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/l8069.htm Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente (pt)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207185327/http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/Leis/L8069.htm |date=7 December 2019 }}, Seção V. Retrieved 2 May 2013</ref><ref name="unicef.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/pon97/p56a.htm|title=Progress of Nations 1997 Special Protections – Progress and Disparity|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225114604/https://www.unicef.org/pon97/p56a.htm%20|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/saopaulo/2013/04/1263992-93-of-sao-paulo-residents-want-age-of-criminal-responsibility-to-be-reduced.shtml|title=Folha de S.Paulo|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=12 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912050905/http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/saopaulo/2013/04/1263992-93-of-sao-paulo-residents-want-age-of-criminal-responsibility-to-be-reduced.shtml|url-status=live}}</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.
|-
|{{Flag|Brunei}}
|7
|
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uprdoc.ohchr.org/uprweb/downloadfile.aspx?filename=734&file=EnglishTranslation|title=Inhuman sentencing of children in Brunei Darussalam}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Bulgaria}}
|14
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lex.bg/laws/ldoc/1589654529 |title=Bulgarian Criminal Code (in Bulgarian). Accessed 13 January 2021 |access-date=12 January 2021 |archive-date=14 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114023825/https://www.lex.bg/laws/ldoc/1589654529 |url-status=live }}</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.
|-
|{{Flag|Burkina Faso}}
|13
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juvenile Justice Information Portfolio - Committee on the Rights of the Child - 3. State Party Reports: Burkino Faso |url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/portfolios/documents/364_burkinafaso.htm#:~:text=The%20age%20of%20majority%20for,mandatory,%20even%20for%20ordinary%20offences. |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.unicef-irc.org}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Burundi}}
|15
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Cambodia}}  
| 14
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Cameroon}}
|10
|
|<ref name="crin_africa">{{Cite web |title=Minimum Ages of Criminal Responsibility in Africa |url=https://archive.crin.org/en/home/ages/Africa.html |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=[[Child Rights International Network]] |archive-date=27 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427155238/https://archive.crin.org/en/home/ages/Africa.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Canada}}  
| 12
| 14
| <ref>[[Criminal Code (Canada)|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
|-
|{{Flag|Cape Verde}}
|16
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Central African Republic}}
|14
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Chad}}
|13
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{flag|Chile}}
| 14
|16
||<ref>{{cite web |title=EL NUEVO SISTEMA DE JUSTICIA PENAL PARA ADOLESCENTES |url=http://web.derecho.uchile.cl/cej/htm/media/nuevajusticiaadolecentes.pdf |access-date=4 December 2019 |language=es |archive-date=13 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713055355/http://web.derecho.uchile.cl/cej/htm/media/nuevajusticiaadolecentes.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2012/03/28/533201/ministro-de-justicia-descarta-rebaja-en-edad-de-responsabilidad-penal-adolescente.html|title=Ministro de Justicia descarta rebaja en edad de responsabilidad penal adolescente|work=Emol|date=28 March 2012 |access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914220656/http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/2012/03/28/533201/ministro-de-justicia-descarta-rebaja-en-edad-de-responsabilidad-penal-adolescente.html|url-status=live}}</ref>||
|-
| {{flag|China}}  
| 12
| 16
|  <ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macaubusiness.com/chinas-amended-law-lowering-criminal-liability-age-to-12-takes-effect/|title=China's amended law lowering criminal liability age to 12 takes effect|date=1 March 2021|access-date=1 March 2021|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162929/https://www.macaubusiness.com/chinas-amended-law-lowering-criminal-liability-age-to-12-takes-effect/|url-status=live}}</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]]. {{hidden|Notes|14 is the absolute minimum for acts that constitute the following crimes: homicide, wounding resulting in death, rape, robbery, arson, explosion, planting of toxic substances, and trafficking in dangerous drugs. The minimum age for other crimes are 16. In Hong Kong, the minimum age is 10<ref name="ReferenceA"/> and in Macau, 16.}}
|-
| {{flag|Colombia}}  
| 14
|18
| <ref name="unicef.org"/> 
| 
|-
|{{Flag|Comoros}}
|13/14-15
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|Depends whether Sharia Law or the Penal Code is applied.
|-
| {{flag|Costa Rica}}  
| 12
|
| <ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1120629-la-mayoria-de-los-paises-de-america-latina-ya-tiene-un-regimen-penal-juvenil|title=La mayoría de los países de América latina ya tiene un régimen penal juvenil|newspaper=La Nación|date=22 April 2009|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=31 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031013140/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1120629-la-mayoria-de-los-paises-de-america-latina-ya-tiene-un-regimen-penal-juvenil|url-status=live|last1=Jastreblansky|first1=Maia}}</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.
|-
|{{Flag|Cote d'Ivoire}}
|10
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Croatia}}  
| 14
| 18
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zakon.hr/z/180/Zakon-o-sudovima-za-mlade%C5%BE|title=Zakon o sudovima za mladež|access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref>   
|
|-
| {{flag|Cuba}}  
| 16
| 18/21
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/cuba/|title=Cuba - Factsheets - Youthpolicy.org|website=youthpolicy.org|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=7 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180607191403/http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/cuba/|url-status=live}}</ref>  
|
|-
|{{Flag|Cyprus}}
|14
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{flag|Czech Republic}}
| 15
|18
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://zpravy.idnes.cz/klaus-podpisem-stvrdil-trestni-odpovednost-i-legalni-sex-od-15-let-p9s-/domaci.aspx?c=A090812_170746_domaci_jw|title=Klaus podpisem stvrdil trestní odpovědnost i legální sex od 15 let|date=12 August 2009|website=iDNES.cz|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-date=22 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322020544/https://zpravy.idnes.cz/klaus-podpisem-stvrdil-trestni-odpovednost-i-legalni-sex-od-15-let-p9s-/domaci.aspx?c=A090812_170746_domaci_jw|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Denmark}} (including [[Faroe Islands]])<ref>[https://www.logir.fo/Lovbekendtgorelse/215-af-24-06-1939-af-Straffeloven-som-senest-aendret-ved-anordning-nr-1139-af-4 Faroese Criminal Code] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026063440/https://www.logir.fo/Lovbekendtgorelse/215-af-24-06-1939-af-Straffeloven-som-senest-aendret-ved-anordning-nr-1139-af-4 |date=26 October 2020 }} (2020), § 15</ref>
| 15
| 18
|  <ref name=":4" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo|name=DR Congo}}  
| 14
|16
| <ref name="right-to-education.org">{{Cite web |url=http://www.right-to-education.org/sites/r2e.gn.apc.org/files/age_new.pdf |title=At what age?... ...are school-children employed, married and taken to court? |access-date=23 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121223020220/http://www.right-to-education.org/sites/r2e.gn.apc.org/files/age_new.pdf |archive-date=23 December 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ||
|-
|{{Flag|Djibouti}}
|13
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Ecuador}}  
| 12
|18
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegrafo.com.ec/justicia/item/adolescentes-infractores-en-la-mira-de-codigo-penal.html|title=Adolescentes infractores, en la mira de Código Penal|work=El Telegrafo, telegrafo, diario, Ecuador, noticias, noticias de Ecuador, decano de la prensa nacional|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101210525/http://www.telegrafo.com.ec/justicia/item/adolescentes-infractores-en-la-mira-de-codigo-penal.html|archive-date=1 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
|
|-
| {{flag|El Salvador}}  
| 12
| 18
| {{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Egypt}}  
| 12
|
|  <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Equatorial Guinea}}
|16
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Eritrea}}
|12
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Estonia}}  
| 14
| 18/21
|  <ref name=":4" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Eswatini}}  
| 7
|14
| <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Ethiopia}}  
| 9
|
|  <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Fiji}}
|10
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Finland}}  
| 15
| 18
| <ref>[http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1889/en18890039.pdf Penal Code] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519154408/https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1889/en18890039.pdf |date=19 May 2021 }} 3:1 § (39/1889, as changed by 515/2003). Retrieved 31 October 2007.</ref>  ||
|-
| {{flag|France}}  
| 13
| 18
|  <ref name=":4" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Gabon}}
|13
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Gambia}}
|12
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Georgia}}
| 14
| 
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2877281?publication=11|title=Juvenile justice in Georgia|access-date=14 September 2018|archive-date=14 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914203511/https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/2877281?publication=11|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Section 33 of Criminal code of Georgia defines that minors between 14 and 17 can be charged with criminal responsibility by juvenile justice.
|-
| {{flag|Germany}}  
| 14
| 18/21
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iuscomp.org/gla/statutes/StGB.htm#19|title=Criminal Code (Strafgesetzbuch, StGB)|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=26 April 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010426054458/http://www.iuscomp.org/gla/statutes/StGB.htm#19|url-status=live}}</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.
|-
|{{Flag|Ghana}}
|12
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Greece}}
| 15
| 18/21
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Guinea}}
|10
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Guinea Bissau}}
|16
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Hong Kong}}  
| 10
|
|  <ref name="ReferenceA">Section 3 of the Juvenile Offenders Ordinance 2003 (Chapter 226, Laws of Hong Kong)</ref> ||
|-
| {{flag|Hungary}}  
| 12
| 18
| <ref name="politics.hu">{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.hu/20120627/justice-ministry-rejects-unicef-criticism-of-new-criminal-code-provisions-on-youthful-offenders/|title=Justice ministry rejects UNICEF criticism of new criminal code provisions on youthful offenders|work=Politics.hu|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031042229/http://www.politics.hu/20120627/justice-ministry-rejects-unicef-criticism-of-new-criminal-code-provisions-on-youthful-offenders/|archive-date=31 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</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"/>
|-
| {{flag|Iceland}}  
| 15
| 18
|  <ref name=":4" />
|
|-
| {{flag|India}} 
| 7 
|12
|  <ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://archive.crin.org/en/home/ages/asia.html|title=Minimum Ages of Criminal Responsibility in Asia |website=[[Child Rights International Network]] |language=en|access-date=20 May 2017|archive-date=27 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427160640/https://archive.crin.org/en/home/ages/asia.html|url-status=live}}</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.
|-
| {{flag|Indonesia}} 
| 12
|18
|  <ref>{{Cite web|last=Pramesti|first=Tri Jata Ayu|date=August 25, 2014|title=Hal-Hal Penting yang Diatur dalam UU Sistem Peradilan Pidana Anak|url=https://www.hukumonline.com/klinik/detail/ulasan/lt53f55d0f46878/hal-hal-penting-yang-diatur-dalam-uu-sistem-peradilan-pidana-anak|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510095933/https://www.hukumonline.com/klinik/detail/ulasan/lt53f55d0f46878/hal-hal-penting-yang-diatur-dalam-uu-sistem-peradilan-pidana-anak/|archive-date=May 10, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Hukumonline}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Iran}}  
| 9 (girls), 15 (boys)
|
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/legal-commentary/1000000054-criminal-responsibility-of-children-in-the-islamic-republic-of-irans-new-penal-code.html#.UccIepxn0XQ|title=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center – Criminal Responsibility of Children in the Islamic Republic of Iran's New Penal Code|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219204825/http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/legal-commentary/1000000054-criminal-responsibility-of-children-in-the-islamic-republic-of-irans-new-penal-code.html#.UccIepxn0XQ|archive-date=19 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2014/03/iran-urged-to-increase-age-of-criminal-responsibility-for-children/#.VFL3g_nF91Y|title=Iran urged to increase age of criminal responsibility for children|date=17 March 2014|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905184132/http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/2014/03/iran-urged-to-increase-age-of-criminal-responsibility-for-children/#.VFL3g_nF91Y|url-status=live}}</ref> ||
|-
| {{flag|Iraq}}  
| 9
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Ireland}}  
| 10
|12
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/justice/children-and-young-offenders/children-and-the-criminal-justice-system-in-ireland|title=Children and the criminal justice system|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214113316/http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/justice/children-and-young-offenders/children-and-the-criminal-justice-system-in-ireland|archive-date=14 February 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>   
|  Exception for children aged 10 or 11, who can be charged with [[murder]], [[manslaughter]], [[rape]], or [[aggravated sexual assault]].
|-
| {{flag|Israel}}  
| 12
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Italy}}  
| 14
| 
|  <ref name=":4" />
| Juvenile judiciary system for offenders aged between 14 and 18; separate juvenile halls.
|-
| {{flag|Japan}}  
| 14
| 
| <ref name=":2" />
|Juvenile Training Schooling for offenders aged between 11 and 14.
|-
|{{Flag|Jordan}}
|12
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Situation analysis of juvenile justice system in Jordan |url=https://www.unicef.org/jordan/reports/situation-analysis-juvenile-justice-system-jordan |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.unicef.org |date=20 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Kazakhstan}}  
| 14
| 16
| <ref>[https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/8260/file/Kazakhstan_CC_2014_2016_en.pdf Penal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422082315/https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/8260/file/Kazakhstan_CC_2014_2016_en.pdf |date=22 April 2021 }} (2014), Art. 15</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Kenya}}  
| 8
|
|  <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Kosovo}}
| 14
| 18/21
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/kosovo/|title=Kosovo Factsheet|publisher=youthpolicy.org|access-date=3 January 2020|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028225934/http://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/kosovo/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Kuwait}}  
| 7
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Kyrgyzstan}}
|14
|18
| <ref>[https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl-nat.nsf/0/705a3f3b34f0090ec12577440047742c/$FILE/Criminal%20Code_en.pdf CRIMINAL CODE OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422082320/https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl-nat.nsf/0/705a3f3b34f0090ec12577440047742c/$FILE/Criminal%20Code_en.pdf |date=22 April 2021 }} (2006), Art. 18</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Laos}}
|15
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Latvia}}
| 14
| 18
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Lebanon}}
|7
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juvenile Justice Information Portfolio - Committee on the Rights of the Child - 3. State Party Reports: Lebanon |url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/portfolios/documents/405_lebanon.htm |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.unicef-irc.org}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Lesotho}}
|10
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Liberia}}
|7
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Libya}}
| 14
| 18
|<ref>[https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/97659/134630/F-1373419708/LBY97659%20Eng.pdf Penal Code of Libya] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422082310/https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/docs/ELECTRONIC/97659/134630/F-1373419708/LBY97659%20Eng.pdf |date=22 April 2021 }} (2014), Art. 80/81</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Liechtenstein}}
| 14
| 18/21
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Lithuania}}
| 14
| 16
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Luxembourg}}
|15
|
|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/luxembourg/|title=Luxembourg Factsheet|publisher=youthpolicy.org|access-date=3 January 2020|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103095655/https://www.youthpolicy.org/factsheets/country/luxembourg/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Madagascar}}
|13
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Malawi}}
|7
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Malaysia}}  
| 10
|
| <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/protection_9006.html |title= UNICEF Malaysia – Child Protection – Justice for Children |publisher= [[UNICEF]] |access-date= 29 August 2015 |archive-date= 4 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071938/http://www.unicef.org/malaysia/protection_9006.html |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.crin.org/en/home/ages/asia |title= Minimum Ages of Criminal Responsibility in Asia |website=[[Child Rights International Network]] |access-date= 29 August 2015 |archive-date= 17 October 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151017070808/http://www.crin.org/en/home/ages/asia |url-status= live }}</ref>  
| {{hidden|Notes|Malaysia has a dual system of secular and Islamic law, which has resulted in a number of different minimum ages of responsibility depending on which branch of the law is applicable. 
* Under the Penal Code, a person can be held criminally responsible from the age of 10. [Penal Code, Article 82. See also Child Act Article 2]
* Under the Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997, Muslim children can be held criminally responsible from the onset of puberty. [Syariah Criminal Offences (Federal Territories) Act 1997, Articles 2 and 51]
* Offences under the Internal Security Act can be prosecuted regardless of age. [Essential (Security Cases) Regulations 1975, Article 3] (The act was repealed in 2012 and replaced with Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012)}}
|-
|{{Flag|Maldives}}
|15
|18
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juvenile Justice Information Portfolio - Committee on the Rights of the Child - 3. State Party Reports: Maldives |url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/portfolios/documents/410_maldives.htm#:~:text=Children%20under%2016%20years%20cannot,15%20years%20as%20criminally%20responsible. |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=www.unicef-irc.org}}</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.
|-
|{{Flag|Mali}}
|13
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Mauritania}}
|7
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Mauritius}}
|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.
|-
| {{flag|Mexico}}  
| 12
|16
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5441663&fecha=16/06/2016|title=Decreto por el que se expide la Ley Nacional del Sistema Integral de Justicia Penal para Adolescentes (art. 5)|work=Diario Oficial de la Federación|access-date=1 November 2018|archive-date=15 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415032623/http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5441663&fecha=16%2F06%2F2016|url-status=live}}</ref>  
| Incarceration starting at age 14. Other measures applied for ages 12–13. 
|-
|{{Flag|Moldova}}
| 14
| 16/21
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Mongolia}}  
| 14
|16
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/mng/2001/criminal_code_of_mongolia_html/Mongolia_Criminal_Code_2002.pdf|title=Criminal Code of Mongolia|website=unodc.org|access-date=15 May 2019|archive-date=16 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516233027/http://www.unodc.org/res/cld/document/mng/2001/criminal_code_of_mongolia_html/Mongolia_Criminal_Code_2002.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>  
| Children between 14 and 16 years old responsible only for certain severe crimes.
|-
|{{Flag|Montenegro}}
|14
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Morocco}}  
| 12
|
|  <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Mozambique}}
|16
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Myanmar}} 
| 7
|12
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Namibia}}
|7
|12
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Nepal}}  
| 10
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}}  
| 12/16-21
| 16-21/22
|  <ref name=":4" /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rechtspraak.nl/Organisatie-en-contact/Rechtsgebieden/Strafrecht/Procedures/paginas/jeugdstrafrecht.aspx | title=Jeugdstrafrecht }}</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.
|-
| {{flag|New Zealand}}  
| 10
| 14
| <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/whole.html#DLM328215 |title= Sections 21–22, Crimes Act 1961 No 43 |publisher= Parliamentary Counsel Office (New Zealand) |access-date= 26 August 2015 |archive-date= 23 August 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150823011337/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1961/0043/latest/whole.html#DLM328215 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0024/latest/DLM153418.html?search=qs_act_murder+manslaughter+10+years_resel&p=1&sr=1 |title=Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 |access-date=28 July 2015 |archive-date=15 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915103005/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0024/latest/DLM153418.html?search=qs_act_murder+manslaughter+10+years_resel&p=1&sr=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="occ-nz-legalagecrime">{{Cite web |url=https://www.occ.org.nz/childrens-rights-and-advice/legal-rights/#atwhatage |title=Legal Rights |access-date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111220054/https://www.occ.org.nz/childrens-rights-and-advice/legal-rights/#atwhatage |url-status=live }}</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]].
|-
|{{Flag|Nicaragua}}
|13
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Niger}}
|13
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Nigeria}} 
| 7
|
|  <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|North Korea}}
| 14
|
|<ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|North Macedonia}}
|16
|18
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|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
|-
| {{flag|Norway}}  
| 15
| 18
| <ref>[http://www.lovdata.no/all/tl-19020522-010-005.html#46 Penal Code] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162928/https://lovdata.no/dokument/NLO/lov/1902-05-22-10/KAPITTEL_1-4#46 |date=3 August 2021 }} Almindelig borgerlig Straffelov (Straffeloven) § 46 (changed of law 12 June 1987 nr. 51). Retrieved 19/7 – 2007.</ref> ||
|-
| {{flag|Oman}}  
| 9
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Pakistan}} 
| 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.
|-
|{{Flag|Palau}}
|10
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Papua New Guinea}}
|7
|
|<ref>{{cite web |title="Making Their Own Rules" Police Beatings, Rape, and Torture of Children in Papua New Guinea |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/png0905/4.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019184203/http://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/png0905/4.htm |archive-date=19 October 2008 |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Panama}}
|12
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|Lowered in 2010 from 14 to 12.
|-
| {{flag|Paraguay}}  
| 14
|
| <ref>{{Cite web |url=http://juridicas.unam.mx/sisjur/penal/pdf/11-512s.pdf |title=Los Sistemas de Justicia Penal Juvenil en América Latina Análisis Comparado |lang=es |trans-title=Juvenile Criminal Justice Systems in Latin America Comparative Analysis |access-date=31 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919071404/http://www.juridicas.unam.mx/sisjur/penal/pdf/11-512s.pdf |archive-date=19 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  
| Minor offenders can be sentenced to a maximum of 8 years of imprisonment.
|-
| {{flag|Peru}}  
| 14
|18
|  <ref name="unicef.org"/> 
| {{hidden|Notes|18 is the standard age of criminal liability in Peru. However, minors from 16–17 years old at the moment of the crime may be subject to 6 to 10 years in prison in case of homicide, femicide, extortion, vandalism, rape or being member of a criminal gang. Minors from 14–15 years at the moment of any of those same crimes may be subject to 4 to 8 years in prison.}}
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}}  
| 15
| 18
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9344.htm |title=RA9344: Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 |date=28 April 2006 |publisher=Chan Robles Law Library |access-date=20 December 2011 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225114605/http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9344.htm%20 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://ph.news.yahoo.com/pnoy-signs-law-retaining-minimum-age-criminal-liability-072222982.html|title=PNoy signs law retaining minimum age of criminal liability|date=8 October 2013|publisher=[[Yahoo News]]|access-date=28 June 2014|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225114551/https://ph.news.yahoo.com/pnoy-signs-law-retaining-minimum-age-criminal-liability-072222982.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chanrobles.com/amno02118sc.htm |title=En Banc Supreme Court resolution on Proposed Rule on Juveniles in Conflict With the Law |date=28 February 2002 |publisher=Chan Robles Law Library |access-date=20 December 2011 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225114551/http://www.chanrobles.com/amno02118sc.htm%20 |url-status=live }} (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>{{cite news|url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/28/1888873/house-oks-bill-lowering-criminal-responsibility-12-final-reading|title=House OKs bill lowering criminal responsibility to 12 on final reading|date=28 January 2019|newspaper=The Philippine Star|access-date=23 October 2019|archive-date=23 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023152718/https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/28/1888873/house-oks-bill-lowering-criminal-responsibility-12-final-reading|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2020|}}, some child rights advocates were opposing this and other related bills in favor of a less fragmented approach addressing children's issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/decade-review-child-rights-advocates-present-ngo-alternative-report-status|title=The decade in review: Child rights advocates present 'NGO Alternative Report' on status of children's rights in PH|publisher=ChildFund International|via=reliefweb.int|date=November 26, 2020|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122080440/https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/decade-review-child-rights-advocates-present-ngo-alternative-report-status|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Poland}}  
| 13
|17
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imolin.org/doc/amlid/Poland_Penal_Code1.pdf|title=Article 10 of Polish Penal Code of 1997|access-date=30 March 2014|archive-date=30 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330191529/https://www.imolin.org/doc/amlid/Poland_Penal_Code1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>  
| {{hidden|Notes|17 is the standard age of criminal liability in Poland. Minors from the age of 15 can be tried as adults in relation to especially heinous crimes such as treason, assassination of Polish President, murder, homicide, serious bodily harm, causing a catastrophe, assault of a public servant, hostage-taking, rape and robbery, when "the circumstances of the case and the mental state of development of the perpetrator, his characteristics and personal situation warrant it, and especially when previously applied educational, therapeutic or corrective measures have proved ineffective". On the other hand, the Court may choose to apply juvenile measures for perpetrators above the age of 17 but below the age of 18, if "the circumstances of the case and the mental state of development of the perpetrator, his characteristics and personal situation warrant it". Juvenile correctional proceedings liability age is 13. Juvenile educational and therapeutic proceedings liability applies to all persons under the age of 18 (including persons below 13 years of age).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://prawo.legeo.pl/prawo/ustawa-z-dnia-26-pazdziernika-1982-r-o-postepowaniu-w-sprawach-nieletnich/dzial-i_przepisy-ogolne/?on=25.03.2014|title=Przepisy ogólne|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723013506/http://prawo.legeo.pl/prawo/ustawa-z-dnia-26-pazdziernika-1982-r-o-postepowaniu-w-sprawach-nieletnich/dzial-i_przepisy-ogolne/?on=25.03.2014|archive-date=23 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The maximum possible sentence that can be imposed on offenders taking criminal liability under 18 years of age is 25 years' imprisonment.}}
|-
| {{flag|Portugal}}  
| 16
| 18/21
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publico.pt/sociedade/noticia/comissao-defende-prisao-so-para-maiores-de-18-anos-1550266|title=Responsabilidade criminal deve passar dos 16 para os 18 anos de idade|author=Ana Cristina Pereira|work=PÚBLICO|date=14 June 2012 |access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151242/http://www.publico.pt/sociedade/noticia/comissao-defende-prisao-so-para-maiores-de-18-anos-1550266|url-status=live}}</ref> 
| 
|-
| {{flag|Qatar}}  
| 7
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Romania}}  
| 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"{{hidden|Notes|For offences for which an adult would be sentenced to life imprisonment, a person between the ages of 14 and 18 would be sentenced to no more than 15 years of "strict imprisonment"

For offences for which an adult would be sentenced to "severe detention" a person between the ages of 14 and 18 would be sentenced to no more than 12 years of "strict imprisonment"
}}
|-
| {{flag|Russia}}  
| 14
|16
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugolkod.ru/statya-20|title=СТ 20 УК РФ. Статья 20. Возраст, с которого наступает уголовная ответственность|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717185756/http://www.ugolkod.ru/statya-20|url-status=live}}</ref>  
| {{hidden|Notes|16 by default, 14 years specifically for crimes as listed in Section 20 of the Criminal code, like murder, rape, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, motor vehicle theft, terror attack, stealing restricted substances like explosives or narcotics, aggravated anti-social behaviour, vandalism, false report of a terror attack.}}
|-
|{{Flag|Rwanda}}
|14
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|San Marino}}
| 14
| 18/21
|<ref>[https://www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm/on-line/documento17088264.html Sanmarinese Penal Code] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028011314/https://www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm/on-line/documento17088264.html |date=28 October 2020 }} (2019), Art. 10 par. 1</ref><ref>[https://www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm/on-line/documento17088264.html Sanmarinese Penal Code] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028011314/https://www.consigliograndeegenerale.sm/on-line/documento17088264.html |date=28 October 2020 }} (2019), Art. 10 par. 2, 3</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|São Tomé and Príncipe}}
|16
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Saudi Arabia}}  
| 12
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Senegal}}
|13
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Serbia}}
|14
|18
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-03 |title=Belgrade shooting: Teen made 'kill list' for Serbia school attack |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65468404 |access-date=2023-05-04}}</ref>
|Persons aged 14 or 15 ("younger juveniles") can only be sentenced to educational measures
|-
|{{Flag|Seychelles}}
|7
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
|{{Flag|Sierra Leone}}
|14
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Singapore}} 
| 10
|
|<ref>{{Singapore legislation|title=Penal Code|titlelink=Penal Code (Singapore)|cap=224|ed=2008}}, section 82</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://irblaw.com.sg/learning-centre/juvenile-crimes-in-singapore-spare-the-rod-spoil-the-child/ |title=Juvenile Crimes in Singapore: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child |website=irblaw.com.sg |date=2020-02-08}}</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.
|-
|{{Flag|Slovakia}}
|14
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Slovenia}}  
| 14
| 18/21
|  <ref name=":4" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Solomon Islands}}
|8
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
|{{Flag|Somalia}}
|14/15
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|15 in Somaliland, 14 in the rest of the country.
|-
| {{flag|South Africa}}  
| 12
|14
| <ref>{{cite press release |title=Parliament adopts Child Justice Amendment Bill |url=https://www.gov.za/speeches/justice-and-correctional-services-portfolio-committee-adopts-child-justice-bill-14-nov-2018 |location=Cape Town |publisher=Parliament of South Africa |date=14 November 2018 |access-date=2020-06-11 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611194217/https://www.gov.za/speeches/justice-and-correctional-services-portfolio-committee-adopts-child-justice-bill-14-nov-2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite act |type=Act |index=28 |date=4 June 2020 |legislature=Parliament of South Africa |title=Child Justice Amendment Act, 2019 |url=https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202006/43402gon641.pdf |access-date=11 June 2020 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611194421/https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202006/43402gon641.pdf |url-status=live }}</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.
|-
| {{flag|South Korea}}  
| 12
| 14
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|South Sudan}}
|12
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Spain}}  
| 14
| 18
|<ref>[https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/1995/BOE-A-1995-25444-consolidado.pdf Spanish Penal Code] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508082436/https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/1995/BOE-A-1995-25444-consolidado.pdf |date=8 May 2020 }} (2019), Art. 19</ref><ref name="boe.es">[https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2000/BOE-A-2000-641-consolidado.pdf Spanish Regulation Law on the Penal Responsibility of Minors] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723174601/https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/2000/BOE-A-2000-641-consolidado.pdf |date=23 July 2020 }} (2012), Art. 1 par. 1</ref><ref>[https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/1995/BOE-A-1995-25444-consolidado.pdf Spanish Penal Code] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508082436/https://www.boe.es/buscar/pdf/1995/BOE-A-1995-25444-consolidado.pdf |date=8 May 2020 }} (2019), Art. 69</ref>
|{{hidden|Notes|A person under the age of 18 can be sentenced to closed detention for a single offence if:

(i) the facts establish that the person has committed a felony under the Penal Code or special penal laws; (ii) the relevant crime was classified as a misdemeanour, but involved violence or intimidation against persons or has generated serious risk to life or physical safety; or (iii) the acts are classified as crimes committed in groups, organisations or associations

Persons aged 14 or 15 may be sentenced to a maximum of three years detention and persons aged 16 or 17 may not be sentenced to more than six years detention.
}}
|-
|{{Flag|Sri Lanka}}
|12
|14
|<ref name=":2" />
|[[Rebuttable presumption]] of incapacity until age 14.
|-
| {{flag|Sudan}} 
|12
|18
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/sudan-new-law-amending-penal-code-takes-effect/ |title=Sudan: New Law Amending Penal Code Takes Effect |website=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=16 February 2021 |archive-date=24 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324235145/https://loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/sudan-new-law-amending-penal-code-takes-effect/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}}  
| 15
| 18
|  <ref name=":4" />
|Previously the full age was 21, was reduced down to 18 in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Riksdagsförvaltningen |title=Slopad straffrabatt för unga myndiga vid allvarlig brottslighet Justitieutskottets Betänkande 2021/22:JuU5 - Riksdagen |url=https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-lagar/arende/betankande/slopad-straffrabatt-for-unga-myndiga-vid_H901JuU5 |access-date=2023-02-18 |website=www.riksdagen.se |date=17 November 2021 |language=sv}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Switzerland}}
| 10
| 18
| <ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.crin.org/en/home/ages/europe|title=Minimum Ages of Criminal Responsibility in Europe |website=[[Child Rights International Network]] |language=en|access-date=20 May 2017|archive-date=10 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310085838/https://www.crin.org/en/home/ages/europe|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Children aged 15 years at the time an offence was committed cannot be sentenced to more than one year of detention{{hidden|Notes|A child aged 16 or over when an offence was committed may not be sentenced to more than four years in detention, and only where:

(i) he or she committed an offence for which an adult could be sentenced to detention of more than three months; or (ii) he or she has committed an offence under Article 122 of the Criminal Code, related to intentionally inflicting a life-threatening injury; or (iii) he or she commits robbery as a member of a group formed for the purposes of carrying out repeated robberies or thefts under Article 140(3) of the Criminal Code; or (iv) the behaviour of the offender is such as to show particular ruthlessness or the behaviour or purpose of the act reveal a highly reprehensible state of mind
}}
|-
| {{flag|Syria}}  
| 10
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Taiwan}}  
| 12/14
| 18
| <ref>Article 18, {{cite web |url=https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=C0000001 |publisher=Laws & Regulations Database of The Republic of China (Taiwan) |title=Criminal Code of the Republic of China |access-date=2023-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=C0010011 |publisher=Laws & Regulations Database of The Republic of China (Taiwan) |title=Juvenile Justice Act |access-date=2023-08-31}}</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.
|-
|{{Flag|Tajikistan}}
|14
|16
| <ref>[https://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1707/file/207b8150765af2c85ad6f5bb8a44.htm/preview CRIMINAL CODE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422082312/https://www.legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/1707/file/207b8150765af2c85ad6f5bb8a44.htm/preview |date=22 April 2021 }} (2006), Art. 23</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Tanzania}} 
| 7
|
|  <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Thailand}} 
| 7
|14
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Timor-Leste}}  
| 16
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Togo}}
|14
|
|<ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Turkey}}  
| 12
| 18
|  <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=5237&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5|title=Mevzuat Bilgi Sistemi|website=www.mevzuat.gov.tr}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Turkmenistan}}  
| 14
|16
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
|{{Flag|Tunisia}}
|13
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Uganda}}  
| 12
|
|  <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Ukraine}}  
| 14
|16
|  <ref name=":4" />
|
|-
| {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}  
| 7
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|United Kingdom}} 
| 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) [http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&Year=1933&searchEnacted=0&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&TYPE=QS&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=1109288&ActiveTextDocId=1109358&filesize=1425] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803162923/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo5/23-24/12/section/50/2014-10-20?timeline=true|date=3 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Thejudicialsystem/DG_4003100|title=Age of criminal responsibility|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-date=4 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604191515/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Thejudicialsystem/DG_4003100|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/adhocs/flags/reports/adhoc1-01_reform.htm|title=Report on the Draft Justice (NI) Bill of the Northern Ireland Assembly's official website|website=niassembly.gov.uk|access-date=21 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031034534/http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/adhocs/flags/reports/adhoc1-01_reform.htm|archive-date=31 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</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.
|-
| {{flag|United States}} 
| varies by state<ref name="ICJMatrix">{{cite web |author=Interstate Commission for Juveniles |author-link=Interstate Commission for Juveniles |title=Age Matrix |date=2023-03-15 |website=[[Interstate Compact for Juveniles]] |url=https://juvenilecompact.org/age-matrix |access-date=2023-08-13}}</ref>
| varies by state<ref name="ICJMatrix"/>
|  <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-12 |title=Age Boundaries in Juvenile Justice Systems |url=https://www.nga.org/center/publications/age-boundaries-in-juvenile-justice-systems/ |access-date=2022-10-08 |website=National Governors Association}}</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>{{cite web |author=Juvenile Justice GPS |author-link=Juvenile Justice GPS |title=Jurisdictional boundaries |date=2016 |website=Juvenile Justice Geography, Policy, Practice, Statistics |url=http://www.jjgps.org/jurisdictional-boundaries |access-date=2023-08-13}}</ref><ref name="NJJN"/>
|-
| {{flag|Uruguay}}  
| 13
|18
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/agencia-efe/141027/uruguayans-reject-constitutional-reform-criminal-responsibility |title=Uruguayans reject constitutional reform on criminal responsibility |date=27 October 2014 |work=GlobalPost |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103114321/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/agencia-efe/141027/uruguayans-reject-constitutional-reform-criminal-responsibility |archive-date=3 November 2014 |access-date=11 February 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>  
| 
|-
| {{flag|Uzbekistan}}  
| 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]"
|-
|{{Flag|Vanuatu}}
|10
|
|{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
|
|-
| {{flag|Venezuela}}
| 14
| 
| <ref>{{cite web |author=UNICEF|title=Análisis comparativo de la legislación nacional sobre justicia juvenil con la de otros países y revisión de experiencias latinoamericanas sobre programas de atención de adolescentes en conflicto con la ley penal entre 12 y 14 años.|language=es|url=https://www.unicef.org/venezuela/media/606/file/An%C3%A1lisis%20comparativo%20de%20la%20legislaci%C3%B3n%20nacional%20sobre%20justicia%20juvenil%20con%20la%20de%20otros%20pa%C3%ADses%20y%20revisi%C3%B3n%20de%20experiencias%20latinoamericanas%20sobre%20programas%20de%20atenci%C3%B3n%20de%20adolescentes%20en%20conflicto%20con%20la%20ley%20penal%20entre%2012%20y%2014%20a%C3%B1os.pdf|access-date=2025-06-06}}</ref>
|
|-
| {{flag|Vietnam}}  
| 14
| 16
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Yemen}}  
| 7
|
|  <ref name=":2" />
|
|-
| {{flag|Zambia}}  
| 8
|12
| <ref name="crin_africa"/>
|
|-
| {{flag|Zimbabwe}}  
| 7
|14
| <ref name="crin_africa"/>
| 
|}

==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]]
*[[Adolescence (TV series)]]

==Notes==
===Footnotes===
{{notelist}}

===References===
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*Maher, Gerry. ''Age and Criminal Responsibility''. 2005 Vol 2. ''Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law''. 493 [https://web.archive.org/web/20051125035106/http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/osjcl/Articles/Volume2_2/Symposium/Maher-PDF-4-11-05.pdf 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.
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{{Law country lists}}
{{Youth empowerment}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Age of criminal responsibility}}
[[Category:Age of criminal responsibility]]
[[Category:Criminal defenses|Infancy]]
[[Category:Juvenile justice system]]
[[Category:Minimum ages]]
[[Category:Juvenile law]]
[[Category:Crime and children]]