Kuwait's Penal Code sets a clear minimum age for criminal responsibility. Under Article 18, a child who has not yet reached 7 years of age at the time of the offence cannot be held criminally responsible at all — no prosecution or punishment is possible.
For children aged 7 to under 14, Article 19 applies. Rather than imposing a standard criminal sentence, the judge is required to order an alternative measure — either placement in a juvenile reform school for a period determined by the court (with mandatory release by age 18), or release under supervision of a trusted guardian. The standard adult penalties do not apply to this age group.
Once a juvenile is aged 14 to under 18, Article 20 provides modified sentencing rules. If the crime normally carries the death penalty, the maximum sentence for a juvenile is 15 years' imprisonment. If the crime normally carries life imprisonment, the juvenile receives a maximum of 10 years. For other offences, the juvenile receives no more than half the maximum adult penalty.
For expat families, this is particularly important to understand if your child faces any legal trouble in Kuwait. Juvenile cases are handled differently from adult criminal proceedings, and the focus is on reform rather than punishment for younger children. It is strongly advisable to engage a bilingual Kuwaiti lawyer immediately if your child is involved in any incident with legal implications.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Kuwait.