Description

While no precise age is set, international standards such as the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice propose that the age of criminal responsibility be founded on emotional, mental and intellectual maturity. Parenthetically, children who are not nurtured in safe and stable environment where they are able to form attachments with family members are at larger risk of having delinquent, violent and criminal behaviors. Hence, aside from not fixing the age of criminal responsibility excessively low, its determination is similarly guided by the best interests of the child.

Many countries place the age of criminal responsibility for children between 12 and15 years old. True enough as available data tell us that it is only at said ages or during mid-adolescence period that there is symbolic movement away from the home environment; children start recognizing social virtues like being a good citizen and respecting authority; and altruistic nature emerges.