Minor (law) - Ballotpedia

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In law, the term minor (also infant or infancy) refers to a person who is under the "age of majority"—the age at which a person is legally recognized as an adult. When an individual reaches the age of majority, he or she is granted full legal rights and becomes liable for "any legal obligations created by his or her actions."^[1] Currently, most state laws define the age of majority to be 18; however, state and federal laws may still prohibit specific acts until a greater age is reached. For example, a person must be 21 or older to purchase or consume alcohol.^[2]

Minors are considered to be under the care of a parent or guardian, unless they are emancipated. Moreover, minors are subject to different laws and legal procedures than adults. For instance, minors accused of criminal conduct might not be tried or charged as an adult.^[3]^[4]

See also

External links

Age of Majority by State

Footnotes

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