Age of Criminal Responsibility
Law in Action is back for a new series on BBC Radio 4. In the first episode, Clive Coleman investigates the issues surrounding the age of criminal responsibility. Unlike most European countries, the age at which a child in the United Kingdom can be prosecuted and convicted of a criminal offence is significantly lower. It's 8 in Scotland and 10 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Compare that with 14 in Germany, 15 in Scandinavia, 16 in Portugal & Spain, 17 in France and 18 in Belgium. Elsewhere it's 10 in Australia, 12 in Canada and 14 in New Zealand. In the US it varies. It's 6 in North Carolina, 7 in most states and 10 for federal crimes.
Last year there were 11,000+ prosecutions in the 10-13 age group and 107,000 in the 14-17 age group in England & Wales.
Poll Age of Criminal Responsibility Poll
Compare that with 14 in Germany, 15 in Scandinavia, 16 in Portugal & Spain, 17 in France and 18 in Belgium. Elsewhere it's 10 in Australia, 12 in Canada and 14 in New Zealand. In the US it varies. It's 6 in North Carolina, 7 in most states and 10 for federal crimes.
Last year there were 11,000+ prosecutions in the 10-13 age group and 107,000 in the 14-17 age group in England & Wales.
Poll Age of Criminal Responsibility Poll