juvenile offender under 14; minor who has committed a crime but is below the age of criminal responsibility
Legal term under Japanese Juvenile Law. Refers to a child under 14 who has violated a criminal law but cannot be held criminally responsible; instead, they are subject to protective measures.
A juvenile offender under 14 cannot be held criminally responsible.
触法少年の事件は家庭裁判所に送致される。
Cases involving juvenile offenders under 14 are referred to the family court.
少年犯罪 refers to juvenile crime in general, while 触法少年 specifically denotes a child under 14 who has committed an illegal act.
非行少年 is a broader term for delinquent juveniles (usually 14–19), whereas 触法少年 is limited to those under 14.
Compound of 触法 (shokuhō, 'violation of the law') and 少年 (shōnen, 'juvenile'). The term is a legal classification used in Japan's Juvenile Law.