Can A Child Be Held Criminally Liable?

Compos Mentis is one amongst the other significant elements in establishing criminal accountability. Mental ability and discernment are developed as an individual grows and attains a specific age which enables him to determine the difference between right and wrong prior to committing any act. Considering the age to establish the criminal intent implies an assessment of criminal liability of a juvenile.

Criminal jurisprudence affirms to the absence of criminal liability or accountability in a human below age criteria. The term juvenile is defined as anyone who is declared as minor or below a certain age. However, the age criteria vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, wherein in most countries, it is below 18 years of age, and in some, it is 20 years. In accordance with the juvenile justice system, adults and juveniles are prosecuted under different judicial procedures, due to the absence of criminal intent in a juvenile's criminal act. It is believed that a minor