"Age Is No Longer a Free Pass"... China to Punish Offenders as Young as 14

China Takes Action Amid Rising Juvenile Crime Rates
Revised Public Security Law to Take Effect in January
"Revised Law: Age Can No Longer Be an Excuse"

China has amended its laws in response to the recent rise in juvenile crime rates, including school violence, over the past few years.

According to China National Radio on December 30, China will implement a revised Public Security Administration Punishments Law starting January next year, allowing for the punishment of those as young as 14 if they commit a crime.

Chinese national flag. Photo to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay.

Previously, in China, minors aged 14 to 16 were not subject to punishment even if they committed a crime. First-time offenders between the ages of 16 and 18 were also excluded from punishment, as were elderly individuals over the age of 70.

However, with the recent surge in juvenile crime rates, Chinese public security authorities have added exceptions to enhance the effectiveness of punishment. Beginning next year, young people aged 14 and older, as well as elderly individuals over 70, may be subject to punishment if they violate the law or commit serious crimes. First-time offenders between the ages of 16 and 18 will no longer be exempt from punishment. For minors who are not within the punishable age range, mandatory corresponding education will be imposed.

According to data released by the Chinese prosecution, the number of juvenile (minor) criminal suspects arrested last year was 65,198, a decrease of 1.1% from the previous year. However, the actual number of arrests reached 34,329, a sharp increase of 27.8% year-on-year. Last year in Hebei, three middle school students committed severe acts of school violence but received no punishment because they were not within the punishable age range. In Shanxi, a boy committed four crimes over six months but was exempt from punishment due to his age. In Hubei, an elderly person illegally cultivated opium poppies but was released without sanctions because he was over 70 years old.

China National Radio commented, "Measures intended to protect certain groups deserving of legal protection have been distorted and abused by some individuals," adding, "According to the revised law, age can no longer serve as an excuse for crime."