Usually, legal distinctions are drawn at the age of majority, which is statutorily defined as 18 years. Persons under 18 are minors; they are deemed as less able than adults to take responsibility for themselves or to carry out obligations to others. Similarly, they are considered more in need of protection both from their own inexperienced judgments and from the actions of others. The major statutory and case law that differentiate between youths and adults are described. These provisions have been divided into the areas of economic regulations, education, family relations, health and social services, and criminal law. Minnesota law also makes distinctions between adults and minors with respect to the type of court procedures under which these rights and responsibilities are judicially decided. These court procedures are explained in 3 sections: (1) civil adult court, applicable to minors who are parties or witnesses to civil lawsuits in adult court; (2) criminal adult court, applicable to minors who are involved in criminal cases in adult court as witnesses or parties; and (3) juvenile court, involving criminal acts committed by minors and cases involving children in need of protection or care by the State. Glossary.