General Chat

Should the legal age for criminal reponisbility be allowed to change from 10 to 12 in the UK?

Hi

No!

When I was that age I knew what was right and wrong.

But that is my opinion.

DL

Bit difficult to answer really - I think it depends on the child. I'd be happy to leave it to trained and experienced experts to decide but the government isn't.

in Norway its 15 i think
its worked for them

but i think 10 is old enough my granddaughter is 9
and she knows right from wrong

No I don't think it should be raised. I think most children know what they are doing by 10, although it would perhaps be fair enough to make it subject to psychological reports.

I agree with uggers though, the government are not the experts here. However they are the lawmakers, and I'd hope any decision to change the law in this case would only follow a long case study by proper experts who would then advise the government accordingly.

I don't think I fully understand what "criminal responsibility" means in terms of the law. I would say my four year old niece knows the difference between right and wrong but I wouldn't want to see her tried in an adult court if she broke the law.

I have just asked our younger son, (28 now) and he says he knew right from wrong at the age of 6
Liz

I think it should stay at 10, but they shouldn't be tried in adult courts until they are 16.

Do many of us know what we are talking about really? Doesn't being of legal age for criminal responsibility mean you can be tried in an adult court?

Knowing it's wrong to tell a lie and wrong to steal is different from adult understanding of crimes and their effects and consequences.

Thing is, violence is all around kids these days, and they are growing up far faster than we did when we were kids.

Take a look at girls of 10 these days, in almost adult style clothes, high shoes, make-up, just like their favourite pop stars etc, boys in miniature mens clothes....they are no longer little girls and little boys at 10, but mini adults influenced by TV and other media.

So to raise the age of criminal responsibility to a higher age does not reflect that really.

But I'm am pretty damn certain that at ten I would have known exactly what effect throwing bricks at a toddler would have, and sure my own two would have at that age too. Sorry to use that as an example, but thats the most well known one.

Teresa, I don't think kids looking like little adults means they've grown up faster or have grown up at all. Knowing what the physical effects of an action will be isn't the same as being capable of an adult understanding of the emotional consequences for the victim/ victim's family.

Have to agree with TeresaW,

I don't think dressing up takes away the innocence or naivety but at 10, children do know if what they are doing is wrong - especially if it is hurting/injuring others. Locking them up together doesn't improve them either, as they are very impressive and tend to idolise and emulate others who may be far worse than they are.
I think the action to be taken should come from the recommendations of people who study these situations - certainly not politicians!

There are Youth courts - hence my comment that they shouldn't be tried in Adult courts until they are 16!!

I'm with Lynda on this, but I just wonder at what age children stop being the children we pity and become the adults we berate?

Because, like it or like it not, in my opinion, we as a society have to bear responsibility.

Sue x

Well said Lynda ..... my own view is that children from a 'normal' upbringing would usually know the difference but this is where experts should be making the decisions to the childs 'mental' age ..... I can't help feeling that raising the legal age will send out the wrong message to the most rebellious or vicious crimes.

I agree Maggie .... Children shouldn't be exposed to adult courts or prisons but the Bulgar case set a really difficult precident.

Teresa - I know what you mean ....... my 10 year old could name more A, B and C class drugs in 30 seconds than I could in half and hour! They are taught things so young, by their peers and others around them - good or bad.- I'd rather be one step ahead.

Part of growing up is wanting to be like their Mum. (ps. I have never taken drugs !!!)

I feel so sorry for James Bulgar's Mum ...... this nightmare is never going to end.

kids at the age of 10 know what they are doing .. ppl just make excuses for them .. blimey does every abused kid that is 10 really think that every 10 year old is abused battered sexually abused ?? if that was so then they would all be talking about it and thinking it was right ...
im all for helping dysfunctional kids but blimey when 10 year old are killing and abusing babies i have to draw a line .... too many do gooders in this world .. x

I can only disagree, Rosie

I personally think we have to have a bit of responsibility as a society.

If young children (much younger than 10) are being brought up to see violence, brought up to see living off the state as a way of lilfe, brought up to see living with drugs as the way life is, then why are we not surprised at the way they turn out?

This isn't "someone else's problem" - I' m afraid we created this environment, and we're paying the price.

For the record, I'm not a do good-er, just a normal parent

Sue x

I know what you're saying but not every child that experiences abuse at the age of ten turns out to be a criminal. Some of us work hard to stop someone else ;o)

I knew that violence and causing harm was wrong.

Linda build a bridge i didnt mean you .. i just meant in gen ..
all the help for jamie bulgers killer didnt help did it ?? ( wheres his killer now )
im just saying that 10 year old should know that its not right to abuse or be abused FGS its talked about in schools on tv in the media the internet .. its not as if there is lack of knowledge ... i dont care who dont agree with me im intitled to my opinion and i will say so .. sorry that i disagree with 10 year olds abusing and killing babbies coz their parents was abusers ...