Abstract:
The minimum age of criminal responsibility in Australia is 10 years. The topic of raising the age of criminal responsibility remains a fraught and challenging field of both study and thought. Despite overwhelming evidence to support an increase in the minimum age of criminal responsibility, there remains a resolute opposition in the majority of States in Australia that this age should be raised. However, the grounds for reconsidering the current position are indeed compelling. This paper expounds the persuasive arguments for raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility by examining the current scientific evidence and opinion. Considerations are explored and the relevant literature examined using the author\'s framework that decisions should be just, scientific, not racist, humane, cost-effective and generally not ludicrous. Principles for an alternative approach to criminalisation and for managing the harmful behaviour of children are then offered.
摘要:
澳大利亚的最低刑事责任年龄为10岁。提高刑事责任年龄的话题仍然是一个充满挑战的研究和思想领域。尽管有大量证据支持提高最低刑事责任年龄,澳大利亚大多数州仍然坚决反对提高这个年龄。然而,重新考虑当前立场的理由确实令人信服。本文通过对当前科学证据和观点的考察,阐述了提高最低刑事责任年龄的说服力论点。考虑探讨和相关文献检查使用作者的框架,决策应该是公正的,科学,不是种族主义者,人道的,成本效益高,通常不可笑。然后提出了刑事定罪的替代方法和管理儿童有害行为的原则。