Scotland launches consultation on raising age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12

[ridingabike]

England & Wales should follow suit in my opinion. And I know everyone will shout James Bulger at me, but I still think 10 is too young - one case does not good law make. 8 is ludicrously young. Some countries make 14 the age of criminal responsibility.

www.holyrood.com/articles/news/scottish-government-launches-consultation-raising-age-criminal-responsibility-eight-12

[wheelofapps]

My 8 year old little girl knows 'right from wrong' but she doesn't think through consequences like an adult would. Nor does my 11 yr old son either.

I think it is a good idea.

[Voteforpedr0]

The age should most definitely be raised, it's not as simple as whether the child knows right from wrong at the age of eight or not, but something fat more complex. A child of eight is more likely to act on impulse and hasn't got the same self control as a twelve year old does, also the cognitive thought process is still not rational at that age. We don't want a situation on our hands where we potentially screw up a childs future because little jonny at eight got into a scrap with his best mate and the parents of that child pressed charges for assault .

[scarlets]

Interesting thread. I'm in favour of increasing it to a more realistic 12, but I wish that feckless parents could/would be held accountable for the unlawful/antisocial actions of their kids.

[IPityThePontipines]

The age should be raised, having an age of 10 in the UK and getting rid of doli incapax is a complete disgrace.

[Inkanta]

'I wish that feckless parents could/would be held accountable for the unlawful/antisocial actions of their kids.'

Scarlets Yes I agree that accountability should extend to parents and that there should be legislation about that.

[WannaBe]

The age of criminal responsibility was lowered in order to try James bulger's killers as adults. Disgraceful. Yes, the age of criminal Responsibility should be raised.

I find it unbelievable that:

You have to be eighteen to drink, to vote, seventeen to drive a car, sixteen to consent to sex, yet you can be tried as an adult for a crime at the age of ten (in England) and eight in Scotland and held accountable as an adult.