Crime and legal issues
Follow these links to find out at what age you can…
Make a Complaint about Discrimination or Treatment by the Police
Be put in Secure Accommodation
We have also produced a legal guide At What Age Can I..? which you can buy from this link.
Be Charged with a Crime
You can be charged with a crime from the age of 10 years old.
Make a Complaint about Discrimination or Treatment by the Police
Whatever age you are, you can make a complaint if you believe you have been discriminated against because of your race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex or marital status.
Sign a Contract
Contracts are legally binding agreements where something valuable is exchanged in return for money. For example, you would need to sign a contract to buy a house or to rent somewhere to live. If you are under 18 you cannot usually enter into contracts of this nature, although there may be exceptions.
If you are under 18 you probably enter into contacts every day, but these are not written contracts. For example, if you buy a sandwich from a shop you will have entered into a contract to pay the cost of the sandwich in return for the sandwich becoming yours. You can enter into these types of contracts for things that you need even if you are under 18 years old.
Give Evidence in Court
You can give evidence in court at any age as long as you understand the questions being asked and can give clear answers. If you are under 17 or are the victim of a sexual offence, there are different measures that can be taken so that you do not have to be in the same room as the person who committed the crime.
Serve on a Jury
You can serve on a jury when you are 18 years old.
Get Legal Aid
You can apply for legal aid at any age, although in some cases you may need to take that action through a litigation friend (a person who is interested in your welfare).
If you are arrested and held in custody at the police station, you have the right to see the duty solicitor. If you are charged with a criminal offence and have to attend court, you are entitled to the free services of the duty solicitor at the first hearing.
Be put in Secure Accommodation
If you are ‘looked after’ by a local authority, you can be placed in a secure unit of a children’s home for up to 72 hours.
Sue someone or be sued
You can be sued at any age. At 18 you can sue in your own right.
You can sue someone if you are under 18 years old, but you will need a litigation friend to issue and conduct court proceedings on your behalf.
Vote
You can vote in local and general elections from the age of 18 years old.
Become a ‘Ward of the Court’
You can become a ward of court until the age of 18. This means that the court makes all the important decisions about your life, rather than your parents or anyone else.
Make a Will
You can make a will at the age of 18. If you are in the armed forces or in the navy, you can make a will when you are under 18.
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