Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

True or False: The age of a minor is 17 years old.

1. True

2. False

3. It varies by state

4. False for juvenile offenders

The correct answer is: False

The assertion that the age of a minor is 17 years old is inaccurate because the age designation of a minor can vary based on the legal definitions established by different jurisdictions. In the United States, the age at which an individual is considered a minor often ranges from 17 to as high as 21, depending on the context of laws regarding juvenile justice, family law, and other legal considerations. In many states, a person is typically considered a minor until they reach the age of 18. However, some states have specific laws governing juvenile offenders, which may allow individuals as young as 16 or up to 18 to be treated as minors in legal proceedings. Therefore, while 17 might be considered a minor in some contexts, it does not universally define the age of a minor. The other choices lead to a misunderstanding of the concept, whereas recognizing that the definition varies clarifies that the age of a minor is not fixed nationally and must be understood within specific legal frameworks.