rules, usually made by Parliament, that are used to order the way in which a society behaves

the minimum age at which a person can be legally considered responsible for a crime

Deliberative discussion: Should the age of criminal responsibility be changed?

Citizenship

In this unit, pupils explore what the law is and how criminal and civil laws are made. They examine what role citizens can have in changing the law and consider how the justice system should apply to young people.

What is the law and how is it changed?

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

rules made by Parliament that order the way in which a society behaves

the minimum age a person is legally considered responsible for a crime

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the age of criminal responsibility is {{}} and has stayed the same since 1963.

They believe young children should be treated like adults.

Children are too young to understand the consequences of their actions.

Victims of crimes committed by children deserve justice.

Which of the following is a reason why some people think the age of criminal responsibility should be raised?

In a deliberative discussion, we can use the {{}} model to explore different viewpoints and form informed opinions.

weighing different viewpoints before forming an opinion

Which of the following is a key part of a deliberative discussion?

The age of criminal responsibility is the same around the world.

The age of criminal responsibility is the same in England and Argentina.

The age of criminal responsibility differs between countries.

Which of the following statements correctly describes the age of criminal responsibility globally?

a law or a set of laws passed by Parliament

a law that deals with disputes between individuals or groups

a person who has certain rights in a country

A proposal for a new law is called a ... 

Which of the following is a way citizens can influence lawmakers?

dealing with people who break laws set by Parliament

Most laws in England are made by Parliament and are also known as the ...

Which of these is **not** a consequence of breaking the law?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Adult supervision required

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Deliberative discussion: Should the age of criminal responsibility be changed?

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.