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age

age definition - legal

A period of time, especially one marking the time of existence or the duration of life.

age of capacity

The age, usually determined by statute, at which a person becomes legally capable of becoming a party to a contract, executing a testamentary document (such as a trust or will), initiate a lawsuit without a guardian, and so on. See capacity.

age of consent

The age, usually determined by statute, below which a person may not marry without parental consent. See also consent.
The age, usually determined by statute, below which a person is legally incapable of consenting to sexual intercourse. See consent and rape.

age of majority

The age, usually determined by statute, at which a person attains full civil, legal, and political rights. See also age of consent.

age of reason

The age, usually determined by statute, below which a child cannot be legally capable of committing a crime.
The age, usually determined by statute or case law, below which a child cannot be legally capable of committing a tort.

legal age

The age, usually determined by statute, at which a person becomes legally capable to exercise a specific right or privilege or to assume a specific responsibility. For example, in many states, a person may legally drive an automobile once she is 16 years of age, but has to wait until she is 21 to legally drink alcohol.

Webster's New World Law Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.