In the United Kingdom(the UK),the age for criminal responsibility is10.Since full age is18,all persons aged10or over to under the age of18will be called juveniles for the sake of convenience.There are cases where persons who are younger than21when they are found guilty are treated differently in sentencing for criminal procedures from those aged21or older.Therefore persons who are aged18or older to under the age of21will be called young adults,and21or over adults for convenience sake.In order to differentiate children from juveniles,persons younger than10will be called children for the sake of convenience.
  Crime is classified into indictable only offense,triable either way offense,and summary offense.
  Indictable only offenses are the gravest type of crime,and cases of young adults and adults are transferred from the magistrates'courts where they are charged to the crown courts and tried in the crown courts.
  Triable either way offenses are a medium grade type of crime,and young adults and adults are tried in the magistrates'courts or the crown courts.
  Summary offenses are the lightest type of crime,and young adults and adults are tried in the magistrates'courts.
  At the crown courts,when a defendant pleads not guilty,a jury consisting of12persons tries the defendant,decides by verdict whether he/she is guilty or not guilty,and when found guilty,the judge pronounces a sentence.When a defendant pleads guilty,the judge pronounces a sentence and the jury does not try the defendant.
  In the magistrates'courts,usually a collegial body consisting of three lay magistrates who are not barristers or a district judge who is a barrister single-handedly tries the defendant.
  Fig.4-6-3-1 shows the number of persons cleared for indictable only offense or triable either way offense(excluding indictable motoring offenses;hereafter the same)for juveniles,juveniles and young adults,and adults separately over the last ten years.

Fig.4-6-3-1  Trends in number of persons cleared for indictable only offense or triable either way offense for juveniles,juveniles and young adults,and adults(United Kingdom)(1994-2003)

  Table4-6-3-2 shows the number of persons cleared and the ratio of population for indictable only offense or triable either way offense and the designated five types of crime for juveniles,young adults and adults over the last ten years.

Table4-6-3-2  Number of persons cleared/ratio of population for indictable only or triable either way offense and the designated five types of crime for juveniles,young adults and adults(1994-2003)