How does the age of a perpetrator affect their criminal liability?

"Criminal Laws" are rules that society has agreed are so important to follow that society allows the government to punish those who break them. However, in general, society wants to be fair when it comes to applying punishment. This is why you'll learn (in other cards) how "intent" can transform otherwise benign actions into a crime. Within this spectrum of fairness, the law considers the age of a perpetrator. Why? Because punishing an adult for doing something they knew—or should have known—was wrong is more fair than punishing a child for doing something they either (a) were never taught was wrong; or (b) lack the mental maturity to understand.

Thus, children under the age of 7 are usually not capable of committing a crime, even if they otherwise satisfy all the elements. Similarly, children between the age of 7 and 14 are presumed to not be criminally liable; this presumption can be overridden with enough evidence. Finally, children who are 14 years old or older are generally treated as adults, which means if their actions meet the elements of the crime, they can be convicted of that crime; there may not be a "but they are just a child!" excuse available.