Also known as: adults · majority · of age
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
2 senses
A person who has reached the age of majority, typically eighteen years. This status confers full legal capacity to enter contracts, make wills, and bear criminal responsibility on the same terms as other persons.
A person who has reached the age of majority, typically eighteen years. This status confers full legal capacity to enter contracts, make wills, and bear criminal responsibility on the same terms as other persons.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A descriptor for businesses or performances that feature sexually explicit content. Regulations targeting such enterprises are evaluated for secondary effects on crime and property values rather than suppression of expression.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
A descriptor for businesses or performances that feature sexually explicit content. Regulations targeting such enterprises are evaluated for secondary effects on crime and property values rather than suppression of expression.
Each sense below has its own examples, sources, and questions.
Anthony Arnold, an adult, purchased materials and drove to a bank with the intent to rob it. Once he parked and approached the entrance with a mask and note, the overt act requirement was satisfied. Abandonment after that point provided no defense to the attempt charge.
Andrew Avery, an adult, signed a contract to purchase a home from Arcadia Retail. A fire destroyed the house before closing. Under the majority rule, Avery bore the risk of loss and remained obligated to complete the purchase at the contract price.
Audrey Ashton, an adult citizen, was appointed by her state legislature as a presidential elector. The constitutional text barred senators, representatives, and federal officeholders from serving in that role, but Ashton satisfied the requirements.
Abigail Alvarez, an adult and qualified director, attended a board meeting of Aurora Biotech. A majority of the qualified directors present approved a recommendation to dismiss a derivative suit, satisfying the statutory requirement for a quorum vote.
Adrian Aguilar, an adult who had reached the age of majority, executed a will leaving property to his siblings. Because he was no longer a minor, the instrument was valid and not subject to the incapacity rules that void wills made by those under eighteen.
The age of majority is eighteen unless a statute provides otherwise. A person who has reached that age possesses full capacity to contract, make wills, and face criminal liability on adult terms.
Supporting sources
Yes for most purposes. Once a person attains the age of majority, rules that previously allowed disaffirmance of contracts or applied a reduced standard of care in torts no longer apply.
Supporting sources
Yes. Adults are held to the reasonable person standard. Minors may receive an age-adjusted standard except when engaged in adult activities such as driving.
Supporting sources
Amelia Amari operated an adult theater in a city that restricted such businesses to certain zones. The ordinance survived constitutional challenge because it targeted secondary effects like crime rather than the content of the performances themselves.
Regulations are reviewed under intermediate scrutiny when aimed at secondary effects such as increased crime or reduced property values. A city may confine such businesses to limited zones provided reasonable alternative avenues remain open.
Supporting sources
…The facial invalidity of the Texas abortion laws does not require that all state abortion laws be invalidated. Pp. 166-167. Majority opinion Opinion of Blackmun, J. We forthwith acknowledge our awareness of the sensitive and emotional nature of the abortion controversy, of the vigorous opposing views, even among…