Lifting age of criminal responsibility raised at juvenile justice forum

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan addressing the consultation

One of the key questions at the first consultation on the draft Juvenile Justice Bill 2015 held at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday is whether the age of criminal responsibility should be raised from 10 years.

In his address, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said the consultation exercise will help policy-makers decide if the age should be increased to 12 years or even up to 16 years.

Two other consultations would be held in Berbice and Essequibo before the bill is taken to parliament.

He said status offences, which are in the existing Juvenile Offenders Act,