What are the ages of offenders in youth court?

The ages of offenders in youth court typically align with the ages set by juvenile justice systems, which often encompass a range of early adolescence through the teenage years. The range of 7-15 comprises young individuals who are generally old enough to understand the consequences of their actions, yet still considered youth as defined by the legal system.

At the lower end, some jurisdictions allow for the inclusion of younger offenders, often starting at ages like 7; however, many systems set a clear distinction around 10 or 11 as the minimum age at which a child could be held accountable for criminal acts. The upper end of the range, at 15, is also significant, as many youth courts operate with a cut-off point just before the transition into late adolescence and adulthood, where different legal standards apply.

Choices reflecting either younger than 7 or significantly older than 15 would not align with the typical definitions used in youth courts, where the focus is on addressing the needs and rehabilitation of young offenders within that critical developmental phase.