A 'young offender' is a person of either
gender who has been
convicted or
cautioned for a
criminal offence.
Criminal justice systems often deal with young offenders differently from
adult offenders, but different countries apply the term 'young offender' to different age groups depending on the
age of criminal responsibility in that country.
United Kingdom
The
United Kingdom has three separate and distinct
criminal justice systems:
England &
Wales,
Northern Ireland, and
Scotland. Young offenders are often dealt with by the
Youth Offending Team.
In '
England &
Wales' the
age of criminal responsibility is set at 10. Young offenders aged 10 to 17 (i.e. up to their eighteenth birthday) are classed as a
juvenile offender. Between the ages of 18 and 21 (i.e. up to their twenty-first birthday) they are classed as young offenders.
In '
Scotland' the
age of criminal responsibility is set at 8, one of the lowest
ages of criminal responsibility in
Europe.
In '
Northern Ireland' it is 10.
Northern Europe
In '
Iceland' it is 15.
In '
Sweden' it is 15.
In '
Denmark' it is 15.
In '
Finland' it is 15.
See also
★
Minor (law)
★
Juvenile court
★
Youth Offending Team
External links
★
Youth Justice Board (England & Wales)
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