Hatókora

Hatókora is a term used in Hungarian to describe the legal age of criminal responsibility. It refers to the age at which an individual can be held legally accountable for their actions under criminal law. In Hungary, this age is currently 14 years old. This means that a person under the age of 14 cannot be prosecuted for a criminal offense. If a person between 14 and 18 years old commits a crime, they are considered a juvenile offender and are subject to different legal procedures and penalties than adults. These procedures often emphasize rehabilitation and education rather than solely punishment. The concept of hatókora is a fundamental aspect of the Hungarian legal system, ensuring that the law is applied appropriately based on the maturity and understanding of the individual. The determination of this age is based on considerations of child development and the capacity to understand the wrongfulness of one's actions.