YOU AND YOUR RIGHTS

You can find out information about your rights throughout this guide, as well as from many of the organisations mentioned. You can also look at leaflets in York Central Library, or get more help from Castlegate or CAB.

WHEN CAN I?

From the moment we are born, the law affects us. Throughout our lives it gives us various rights and responsibilities, and says what we can and can't do.

For example, from birth you can:

  • have a bank account (at the bank's discretion)
  • own property
  • give evidence in court
  • agree to or refuse medical treatment (including contraception) if you understand the implications of it (see confidentiality and consent)
  • ask to see personal information held on computer about you (although there are certain exceptions to this)
  • choose your own religion
  • get confidential advice and counselling
  • carry a donor card
  • enter a public bar with someone aged 18+, at the landlord's discretion, if they hold a children's certificate
  • smoke cigarettes, but not buy them
  • babysit - though the parents should assess your suitability and could be prosectued if you are under 16 and something happens that you weren't competent to deal with.
  • make a complaint about sexual or racial harassment, or a complaint against the police
  • you must have your own passport if you wish to travel abroad

At 5 you can:

  • drink alcohol in private (e.g. at home)
  • you are at compulsory school age (in the term following your 5th birthday)
  • see films classified as U or PG, or 12A if an adult is with you
  • see your school records

At 10 you can:

  • be convicted of a criminal offence and be given a custodial sentence if the crime is a serious one

At 13 you can:

  • get a newspaper round if by-laws allow it (York does)

At 14 you can:

  • go into a public bar on your own (at the landlord's discretion) but you cannot buy or consume alcohol there
  • get a part-time job. There are restrictions on hours etc. For example, you can't work more than 2 hours on school days or Sundays, and you can't work before 7am or after 7pm on any day. Your employer must apply for a work permit for you, as well as take other measures to protect you

At 16 you can:

  • work full time if you have left school, and receive a minimum wage (see your rights at work). You can officially leave school on the last Friday in June in the school year in which you reach 16.
  • Join a trade union
  • leave home (with or without your parents' permission - only in exceptional circumstances would you need this)
  • have a sexual relationship with someone of the same or opposite sex (as long as they are 16 or over too)
  • marry with your parents' consent
  • join the Armed Forces with your parents' consent
  • be given an on-the-spot fine by the police
  • get legal assistance in your own right
  • see your health records - though you can see them at any age if your GP considers you mature enough
  • buy cigarettes (increasing to age 18 from Oct '07)
  • buy Premium Bonds or National Lottery tickets
  • buy certain alcoholic drinks with a meal in restaurants (beer, cider or perry). Buy liqueur chocolates
  • hold a licence to drive a moped go-ped, invalid carriage, or glider
  • get a National Insurance number
  • continue to receive free full-time education at school, 6th form or college
  • have the right to be offered a Youth Training place if not in work or full time education
  • claim Income Support in certain circumstances (e.g. you are in full time education and forced to live away from your parents)
  • sell scrap metal
  • buy a pet, or win a pet as a prize

At 17 you can:

  • hold a driving licence for a car or a motorbike (up to 125cc), pilot's licence or private firearms licence
  • be tried in an adult court and sent to prison
  • be questioned by the police without a parent or guardian there
  • a care order can no longer be made against you
  • give blood (see do good deeds)

At 18 you are an adult in the eyes of the law and can:

  • leave home, marry, change your name (without parental consent)
  • vote in elections
  • apply for a passport without parental consent
  • serve on a jury, bring and defend a court action, sue, be sued
  • make a will and sign documents on your own behalf
  • have a cheque book, credit card, be liable for overdrafts, credit etc., pawn goods in a pawn shop
  • hold a commercial air pilot's license
  • buy and drink alcohol in a bar
  • get a tattoo
  • if you are adopted you can apply for a copy of your original birth certificate

At 21 you can:

  • become an MP or local councillor
  • hold a licence to sell alcohol, hold a PSV or HGV licence
  • adopt a child

If you would like to know more about what you can or can't do at what age, contact Castlegate, CAB or check out the Children's Legal Centre website.

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act gives anybody the legal right to ask for and be given information held by a public authority and organisations providing a service on their behalf about any issue (and cannot be witheld except in certain circumstances). For more information look at their website.