Your Rights – what you can do and when!

According to Tameside “Sorted – a Guide to Young People and the law” these are the things you can look forward to:

Age	What you can do
10 Years	Can be convicted of a criminal offence Be given a custodial sentence Can open a building society account with the managers agreement
12 Years	Can see category 12 films at cinema / or on dvd
13 Years	Placed in a secure unit of a care home for up to 72 hours if they have a history of running away or may injure themselves / others (if no secure accommodation).
14 Years	Can work only in 'light work'
15 Years	Can see a category 15 film at cinema / or on dvd
16 Years	Leave school and work full-time Leave home Girls can consent to sexual intercourse Get a passport (children must have their own passport) Marry with parental consent Change your name by Deed Poll (in certain circumstances) Buy a lottery ticket Drive a moped up to 50cc Choose your own doctor Claim benefits (in certain circumstances) Get a National Insurance Number Be sent to a Young Offenders Institution Apply for Legal Aid Pay NHS prescription charges The homosexual age of consent is 16 years
17 Years	Get a Provisional Licence and take Driving Test Be sent to prison Girls can join the armed forces with parental consent Apply for a helicopter pilots licence Be a blood donor
18 Years	You are now an adult in the eyes of the law Can serve on a jury Place a bet Carry a donor card If you are adopted you can apply to see your birth certificate Buy alcohol Vote Sign contracts Ride a motorbike above 125cc with a licence See a category 18 film at cinema / on dvd
19 Years	You are entitled by law to full-time education up to this year
21 Years	Apply to adopt a child Become an MP or a councillor Supervise a learner if you have held a licence for the same type of vehicle for three years

It should be pointed out that there are exceptions to the various age categories. Please check with the police/solicitor before acting. To find out more check out Ask Jeeves.

Ashford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford TN23 1PL
Call: 01233 330290 Email: info@whatmattersashford.co.uk Text: 07765 897208