Conclusion

The science of child development—especially psychological and neural development—is helping us to see just how different kids are from adults in ways that matter directly to their culpability for crime. Not every difference matters, of course, but many do. For instance: What risks one was aware of when one acted in a way that harmed another matters, directly, to one’s culpability. The greater the risks of which one was aware when acting, the greater the culpability. If kids are different from adults in the way they perceive risks, then this matters to their culpability; and, in fact, there is evidence suggesting that they are. Using empirical discoveries in this way is extremely important if we are to give kids their due....