Sociology 2267A/B Lecture 6: 2267 Midterm Notes

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2267A/B
• Professor: Kim Luton

Document Summary

Societies have struggled with the definitions of delinquency and how to deal with youth crime for centuries. The main issues concern mens rea and capability: basically whether young people can form criminal intent and to what degree they are accountable for their actions. Under common law, young people were not considered legally responsible until the age of 7. They were not held accountable for their criminal behavior because they could not form mens rea or criminal intent. Between the ages of seven and fourteen, young people had limited legal responsibility. The onus was on the crown to prove that the youth had the legal maturity to appreciate the nature and consequences of his or her behavior. Youth over 14 years old were treated as adults. Canadian youth crime history can be viewed within 3 distinct periods: pre-confederation period (17th and 18th centuries, victorian period (19th century, post-victorian period (20th century)