Legal Question in Business Law in California

Re: When humans are legal adults in law

The age of majority in California is 18, which means when one turns 18, one becomes an adult. However, one cannot consume alcohol until they reach the age of 21.

Re: When humans are legal adults in law

In California, you are legally an adult at the age if 18. You cannot drink until the age of 21, largely due to the potential lost of federal funds of the drinking age was reduced to a lower number.

Re: When humans are legal adults in law

Many years ago, the age of majority (adulthood) was 21 throughout the English-influenced common-law world (England, Ireland and most former UK colonies). The age of majority is set by the constitution or statutes of each individual state. Nearly all states have now reduced the age of majority to 18. I think there are a few holdouts.

The minimum drinking age as well as the minimum age for marriage usually differ. Some states have different marriage ages for men and women and with and without parental consent.

Many states have emancipation procedures under which a minor (not yet 18) can apply to the court for most adult powers even though not yet of full adult age.

The voting age has also been reduced from 21 to 18 in most jurisdictions.

Re: When humans are legal adults in law

In USA:

18:

Adult criminal penalties apply (sometimes earlier).

Making contracts.

Independence from parents.

Voting.

Can be drafted into military.

Consent to sex (California, varies by state).

Consent to marriage (California, varies by state).

Driving without restrictions.

Tobacco.

21:

Alcoholic beverages.

Gambling.