2007-01-31 12:12:17 · 3 answers · asked by ♥Ms. Heart♥ 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
They were convicted of their offense before they were legally an adult AND they were not tried as an adult. Also, some countries have the age for an adult at 21. Infact, Alabama sets the bar at 19 ("the completion of the 18th year").
2007-01-31 12:17:19 · answer #1 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the statute allows it. Psychological studies have shown, and you are free to reject them, that mature adult decision-making does not really develop in most people until their early twenties. Clearly, some legislatures have chosen to heed those findings by mitigating the criminal culpability of at least some defendants despite the fact that they have reached the age of majority (18). The age of 18 for majority is a relatively arbitrary number, and clearly we don't attribute complete maturity to majors, as demonstrated by the 21 year-old drinking age.
2007-01-31 12:22:10 · answer #2 · answered by Doc Cohen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
19 year olds are still dumb.
I mean ignorant.
2007-01-31 12:16:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋