In the law, is a 16 year old considered a young adult?

Question

Like if a 16 year old kid killed someone or vandalized something, would the charges be worst for them than if a 13 or 15 year old did it?

Answer 1

Who did you kill?

Answer 2

Maybe not for the vandalism, but there are cases where 16-year-olds have been charged as adults for really violent murders or serious crimes. There also have been cases of 13 and 15-year-olds being charged very severely, it depends on the nature of the crime, and where it took place. Some states and some jurisdictions are tougher than others.
According to the law, strictly, a kid is a kid until he or she is 18, then he or she is an adult. Sometimes their punishments can be changed and they can be charged as and treated like adults in court, but that's more due to the severity of the crime.

Answer 3

It depends on the state and country.

Below some age (usually 10~12) a child is too young to be held criminally liable for many actions -- they are presumed to lack the necessary ability to form criminal intent.

So, no real difference between 13 and 17 -- however, in some states, kids who are 16 or 17 might be tried as an adult in vary rare cases -- never heard of it happening at 13.

Answer 4

Really depends on the court/judge. Sometimes they make the decision to try the suspect as an adult... depending on what the crime is. Adult is 18 or 21, depending on the state.... 13 is certainly younger than 16, but there really is no definite answer.

Answer 5

Even a 13yr old can be tried as an adult in some states. In Texas, its up to the prosecution and only persons under 10 are exempt from being tried. As a 16yr old, depends on the state but in most, you are a child.

Answer 6

Generally the courts have recognized that children 13 years of age and older have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. They refer to this as the age of reason. The courts therefore will often charge persons over this age as adults in very serious offenses such as murder. Children below this age are generally considered as being not capable of fully understanding the ramifications of their actions and are not held to as high a degree of accountability.

Answer 7

If you are old enough to do the crime, in most cases, the law is now saying you are old enough to do the time. Lots of Teens are being tried as adults. I think it depends on the state you live in, the circumstances, etc.

Answer 8

Yes a 16 year old is considered an adult if they commit "adult" crimes.

Answer 9

yes because 18 or older is an auldt so if your 13 or older but not 18 yet your considered a young adult

Answer 10

Depends. The judge makes the decision on a case-by-case basis if he will be charged as an adult, and eventually, on what punishment he will receive

Answer 11

They're considered a minor, but a minor can be charged as an adult if they commit a crime.