age of discretion

American  

noun

Law.

1. the age at which a person becomes legally responsible for certain acts and competent to exercise certain powers.

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Example Sentences

Hence, do come more frequently to the Sacrament, and also admonish your children to do so when they have reached the age of discretion.

From Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by Bente, F. (Friedrich)

Henry, the horse, was a sober animal who had long ago reached the age of discretion.

From Cy Whittaker's Place by Lincoln, Joseph Crosby

This "age of discretion," or competent age, as the Catechism Rubric calls it, is not a question of years, but of character.

From The Church: Her Books and Her Sacraments by Holmes, E. E.

To ensure the safety of her offspring, the bear might keep me up that tree until her cubs had arrived at the age of discretion, and be able to take care of themselves.

From Lost Lenore The Adventures of a Rolling Stone by Beach, Charles A.

Of lands and houses, nothing is sold till the children arrive at the age of discretion; when each is entitled to his share, the rest being unsold till the others are of age in turn.

From An Account of Timbuctoo and Housa Territories in the Interior of Africa by Jackson, James Grey