A person less than 16 years old is not criminally responsible for his conduct except when he is:

A person less than 16 years old can be held criminally responsible, but this is limited by age thresholds defined by law. Specifically, in New York, the law states that individuals under the age of 16 are generally considered incapable of criminal responsibility, except in certain circumstances outlined in the law.

The correct answer, concerning this specific age group, indicates that responsibility may be asserted for youth who are between 3 and 15 years of age under particular offenses. Once a minor reaches 16, they are considered an adult in most criminal matters. This reflects a legal understanding that younger children, particularly those below 12, do not possess the necessary cognitive maturity to understand the nature of their actions in a way that warrants criminal charges.

Thus, individuals within the age range of 3 to 15 can be subjected to statutory exceptions that hold them accountable for certain serious offenses, which is why this age bracket is significant.