Kuwait's Penal Code sets a minor's responsibility according to age at the time of the offence:
- Under 7 years: A child who has not completed seven full years at the time of the offence bears no criminal responsibility (art. 18).
- 7 to under 14 years: Instead of punishment, the judge orders either placement in a juvenile reform school, with mandatory release upon reaching eighteen, or a reprimand in the session and delivery to the guardian (art. 19).
- 14 to under 18 years: The minor is tried with reduced penalties: where the offence carries death, imprisonment not exceeding fifteen years; where it carries life imprisonment, not exceeding ten years; where it carries temporary imprisonment, not exceeding half the maximum. Any fine cannot exceed half the legal maximum, and recidivism rules do not apply to anyone under eighteen (art. 20).
If the accused's age is uncertain the judge estimates it, calculated in all cases by the Gregorian calendar (art. 21).
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Kuwait.
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