Final answer:
The statement that criminal liability should be lowered to 9 years old is a claim of policy. This claim suggests a change in legal procedures regarding the age at which individuals can be held criminally responsible. The effective application of policies addressing criminal liability in juveniles requires balancing legal principles, societal values, and the welfare of young people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The claim that criminal liability should be lowered to 9 years old can be categorized as a claim of policy. A claim of policy advocates for a change in rules, laws, or procedures and in this context, involves the legal system and its treatment of juveniles. When discussing changes to criminal liability ages, various considerations come into play, including the capacity of the youth to understand the consequences of their actions, societal views on punishment and rehabilitation, and the best strategies to prevent crime. Adams's statement about facts and evidence being unalterable and law being stable underscores the importance of careful consideration in the law, especially when it pertains to young individuals. While lowering the liability age prescribes a new policy, ensuring the effectiveness and justness of such a change would require thorough deliberation on these factors and their impact on youths' lives and society at large. The current consensus is that juveniles should have a clear understanding of charges and evidence against them, and that they are not tried as adults unless under certain exceptional circumstances.