What rights does a 16 year old have in New York State?

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Adults and children are different with respect to legal capacity.The law cannot assign legal responsibility to an individual who lacks the mental capacity or maturity to fully understand the consequences of their actions.When a child commits a serious crime, prosecutors have to decide whether to charge the child as an adult.Most contractual agreements require the consent of a parent, so it also applies to everyday situations.

The line must be drawn somewhere for people to mature at different ages.New York's legal ages laws establish an "age of majority" of 18 at which an individual is considered an adult.Minors in New York can consent to medical treatment if they are married, a parent of a child patient, or in an emergency.

In rare instances, the court may grant a minor's request for emancipation in New York.A New York court may consider a minor emancipated if he or she is.

The basics of New York legal age laws are provided in this chart.How long do parents have to keep their legal obligations to their children?To learn more.

Contact a New York attorney if you want to verify the state law you are researching.

Each state has its own laws relating to marriage, consent, and other legal processes.FindLaw's lawyer directory can help you find a New York family law attorney if you need one.