Age and maturity play a big role in how we understand responsibility for crimes in the law.

1. Juvenile Justice Statistics:

• In the U.S., about 1 million young people are arrested each year for different offenses.
• Studies show that people under 18 are often more impulsive. Research tells us that 30-50% of teenagers act less mature than adults.

2. Legal Standards:

• Many places have set a minimum age for when someone can be held responsible for a crime. This age usually falls between 6 and 12 years old. For example, in the UK, the age for juvenile justice is 10.
• Some areas recognize "diminished capacity." This means they understand that younger people might not fully know the consequences of their actions.

3. Key Factors:

• How we think and manage our emotions affects the choices we make. Research shows that a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, which helps with impulse control, doesn’t fully develop until around our mid-20s.
• Because of this, age can be an important factor when deciding legal outcomes. Instead of just punishment, many times, young people are given chances for rehabilitation.