Overview

This bill proposes to increase the age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales from 10 to 12 years old. This means that children under the age of 12 would no longer be held criminally liable for their actions.

Description

The core change introduced by this bill is the amendment of Section 50 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933. This section currently sets the age of criminal responsibility at 10 years. The bill replaces "ten" with "twelve," raising the age at which a child can be prosecuted for a crime. The bill specifies that it will come into force on a date to be determined by the Secretary of State and applies only to England and Wales.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any changes to government spending. However, raising the age of criminal responsibility might indirectly impact spending on youth justice services, potentially leading to increased investment in alternative methods of dealing with offending children.

Groups Affected

This bill will primarily affect:

• Children aged 10 and 11: They would no longer be subject to criminal prosecution for their actions.
• Families of children aged 10 and 11: The impact on families will vary, potentially reducing the stigma associated with criminal proceedings for young children.
• The Youth Justice System: This system would see a shift in how cases involving younger children are handled, possibly requiring greater investment in alternative care and rehabilitation programs.
• Law enforcement agencies: Procedures for dealing with children under the age of 12 may require adjustment.

Powered by nyModel