The age limit of criminal responsibility: history and nowadays

The article deals with the genesis of the institute of age of criminal responsibility. The authors analyze various approaches of legislators to establishment of age limits of criminal liability at different stages of historical development of Russia. The experience of foreign countries on the given issue is given and investigated. An explanation of the failure of draft laws on the reduction of the age of criminal responsibility is given and the current legislation is evaluated. The authors concluded that there is no need in the present day to adjust the age of criminal responsibility towards its lowering. At the same time the list of articles indicated in part 2 of art. 20 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation should be adjusted.