Petition · Ministry of Justice
Stop criminalising kids - raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18
Closed
32 signatures
What the petition asks
Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 18, to match the age when we can vote in elections.
We think the criminalisation of children as young as 10 is a stain on our national life.
We think young children going to court, imprisoning them in Young Offenders institutions, sentencing them for along time for childhood acts, and naming and shaming in the media is wrong.
We feel children with criminal records are scarred for life.
You cannot vote until 18 so we think you should not be subject to criminal law until the same age.
Educate. Understand. Treat. Support. Release.
We think young children going to court, imprisoning them in Young Offenders institutions, sentencing them for along time for childhood acts, and naming and shaming in the media is wrong.
We feel children with criminal records are scarred for life.
You cannot vote until 18 so we think you should not be subject to criminal law until the same age.
Educate. Understand. Treat. Support. Release.
Timeline
| 19 May 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 19 Nov 2025 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
32
Status
Closed
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
19 May 2025
Closed
19 Nov 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 30 Aug 2026.