The Age of Culpability argument is founded on the principle that a child’s brain does not develop to maturity until later in the teenage years all the way up to the age of 25. The Legal argument is that children under the age of 18 are less “culpable” than those that are over the age of 18.
This overlaps with the ‘defense of infancy’ which is a form of defense known as an excuseso 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.
Choose one case and follow the proejct structure below: (Note: The case you select must allow you to respond to all of the following.)
- Begin with a cover sheet indicating your name, project title, course, and date submitted.
- Select a state and provide the information about its ‘Age of Culpability’ rules (what is the age of criminal responsibility/culpability in this state?)
- Provide a brief synopsis of the circumstances that led to the hearing of the case
- Describe the court’s decision
- Discuss whether you agree with the decision/outcome of the case
- What is the current status of the juvenile? Have they been released? Etc.
- Discuss the effect the case has on your view of the juvenile justice system
Categories: