It is important for people to understand the precise legal definition of a juvenile, the limits of legal liability they are subject to, as well as the penalties imposed upon them if found guilty of breaking the law.

The law defines a juvenile as any male or female no younger than seven years old, but below the age of 18. Legal accountability can only stretch to that lower age limit — a child younger than seven cannot be held responsible for criminal activity, nor punished by the state for it.

If a juvenile commits an offense, they are not exempt from the law, or from potentially receiving the same sentence imposed on adults. But there are other measures that can be taken with the juvenile at an early stage, to ensure that the offense does not happen again. These measures include a formal warning to the individual of the consequences of repeating the offense, and engaging parents to ensure that they are watching the juvenile carefully, and even involve them in any rehabilitation plan.

A court also has the right to prevent the juvenile from attending certain places, but the duration of such a ban cannot exceed 3 years.

As for working juveniles, they can be prevented from working if their job was linked to the crime that they committed.

The role of professional and specialized surveillance is very important, and cannot be underestimated in such cases. The juvenile can be subject to certain social controls and restrictions in his or her own particular environment for a period not exceeding two years.

In addition, the prescribed disciplinary mechanism may compel the juvenile to perform certain duties, or carry out community service, for a period not exceeding 3 years.

In some sensitive situations, the placement of the juvenile in a social or therapeutic institution can be ordered for up to a year. Naturally, this process is not random, and only considered in exceptional circumstances. Moreover, the individual must be no younger than 12 years old at the time of committing their offense.

Upon reaching the age of 15, the usual penalties begin to apply except for prison sentences; instead, the juvenile is punished by placing them in a young people’s detention center for a period not exceeding half of the maximum penalty for the offending act.

However, in cases where the death sentence could be passed were the individual an adult, the offending juvenile will be punished by imprisonment in a penitentiary for a period not exceeding 10 years.

Courts have discretion when it comes to passing down sentences and punishing a juvenile who is 15 or older, based on conduct and personal history, as well as the circumstances in which the crime in question was committed.

The process of rehabilitation and awareness of juveniles is a collective effort by all members and institutions of society, and in this regard, the important role of education in the preparation of children in society, especially in dealing with others and preparing them to deal with difficult situations and conditions, cannot be overstated.

Children and their families have to learn more about the law and their rights and responsibilities under it. Education is the key to creating responsible and respectful adults from our children, and it is a far more powerful way to solve criminality, instilling virtue from an early age, than any court sentence.

Dimah Talal Alsharif is a Saudi legal consultant, head of the health law department at the law firm of Majed Garoub and a member of the International Association of Lawyers. Twitter: @dimah_alsharif