Theme C: Age Of Legal Responsibility Flashcards
What is the age of criminal responsibility?
The age at which a person is legally responsible for their actions.
What legal age limits are set to protect young people?
Legal age limits include those for driving, getting married, voting, working, and joining the armed forces.
What is the legal age limit for driving in the UK?
17
Responsible enough to apply for a provisional driving licence, to take lessons, and drive a car.
What is the legal age limit for getting married with parental consent in the UK?
16
Protects young people from pressure, abuse or exploitation by those who might try to take advantage of them, including older people.
What is the legal age limit for getting married without parental consent in the UK?
18
Protects young people from pressure, abuse or exploitation by those who might try to take advantage of them, including older people.
What is the legal age limit for voting in the UK?
18
Responsible and independent enough to participate in the UK’s democratic elections and referendums.
What is the legal age limit for working part-time with restrictions in the UK?
13
Prevents unethical employers from exploiting children by making them work too many hours, affecting their education and health in a negative way.
What is the legal age limit for working full-time with restrictions in the UK?
16
Prevents unethical employers from exploiting children by making them work too many hours, affecting their education and health in a negative way.
What is the legal age limit for working full-time in the UK?
18
Prevents unethical employers from exploiting children by making them work too many hours, affecting their education and health in a negative way.
What is the legal age limit for joining the armed forces with parental consent in the UK?
16
Prevents decisions being made before reaching stages of maturity that occur in late adolescence, and acknowledges how interests and ambitions may change.
What is the legal age limit for joining the armed forces without parental consent in the UK?
18
Prevents decisions being made before reaching stages of maturity that occur in late adolescence, and acknowledges how interests and ambitions may change.
What is the legal age limit for joining the navy in the UK?
16
Responsible enough for an age-appropriate role (some roles restricted until aged 18).
What are the arguments for reducing the voting age from 18 to 16?
16-year-olds are educated in citizenship, can pay tax, marry, and join the navy. They were allowed to vote in the Scottish Referendum in 2014.
What are the arguments for keeping the voting age at 18?
16-year-olds lack maturity and experience, may be easily influenced, and need parental permission to marry.
What is the UN Committee on Rights of the Child’s stance on the age to join the armed forces in the UK?
The UN Committee challenges the UK age limit of 16 to join the armed forces.
What is the minimum age to join the armed forces in the USA?
The minimum age is 17.
What is the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales?
The age of criminal responsibility is 10.
What is the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland?
The age of criminal responsibility is 8, although a bill in 2018 debated to increase it to age 12.
What happens to children under the age of 10 in England and Wales regarding criminal charges?
Children under the age of 10 cannot be arrested or charged with a crime.
What is the legal status of children aged 10 in England and Wales?
Children aged 10 are considered old enough to understand the difference between right and wrong and are held responsible for their actions.
What is the legal process for young people aged 10 to 17 charged with a crime in England and Wales?
They can go to a youth court if charged with a crime.
What happens to individuals aged 18 when charged with a crime in England and Wales?
Those aged 18 can be sent to an adult court for trial.
