At what age are you considered an adult in legal terms?

In legal terms, an individual is considered an adult at the age of 18. This age marks the threshold for various rights and responsibilities, such as the ability to vote, enter into contracts, and be tried as an adult in the criminal justice system. This standard is widely adopted in many states, including Wisconsin, establishing that at 18, individuals are regarded as fully responsible for their actions under the law.

While the other age options may represent different legal standings in various contexts (for instance, 21 is often associated with the legal drinking age), none pertain to the general definition of adulthood that encompasses most legal capacities like voting and contract rights. Thus, 18 remains the recognized age for achieving legal adulthood across a broad range of rights and responsibilities in the United States.