What are you allowed to do?

When you are 17:-
> Drive most vehicles and pilot a helicopter or plane
> Emigrate
> Attend adult court
> Girls can join the armed forces at 17 and a half
> No longer be subject to a care order
> Leave home without parental consent
> Get married without parental consent

When you are 18:-
> Vote
> Buy cigarettes & tobacco 
> Apply for a passport without parental consent
> Sue or be sued
> Perform professionally abroad
> Serve on a jury
> Be represented by a solicitor
> Get tattooed / pierced (can have body pierced under 18 with parental consent)
> In a 'position of trust' and will be committing an offence if engage in sexual activity with young person under 18
> Adopt
> Marry
> Make a will
> Execute a will
> Cannot be made a ward of court
> Work in a bar

When you are 21:-
> Drive any vehicle providing you have the appropriate driving licence
> Sell alcoholic drinks
> Stand at an election to become an M.P (Member of Parliament)
> See birth certificates if adopted

STOP AND SEARCH
>  Police may stop you in a public place and ask you to explain your actions, behaviour, and presence in the area or possession of anything.
>  For “Stop and Search” police have to give a reason and must have good cause e.g. they believe you are carrying stolen goods, drugs, weapons, or items to commit a burglary or criminal damage.
>  You will be asked to tell the officer how you define your ethnicity.
>  The officers are required by law to make a record of the stop (as from April 2005) or stop and search and provide you with a copy at the time, unless for example they are called away to an emergency.
>  You can be arrested if they believe you are committing or are about to commit or have committed an arrestable offence.
> The police must follow procedures under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act.
> They cannot keep you if there is no longer any reason for the arrest or you are not charged within a set time.

Click on:
www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk  - free, confidential and independent legal advice
or contact: The Community Legal Advice Helpline on 0845 345 4 345.

Click on:
www.childrenslegalcentre.com