A minor is civilly liable for a wrong done by the minor, but is not liable in exemplary damages unless at the time of the act the minor was capable of knowing that the act was wrongful.
Part 2RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES; CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
Section § 6600
If a minor does something wrong, they can be held legally responsible for it. However, they won't have to pay extra punishment damages unless they understood that what they were doing was wrong when they did it.
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Section § 6601
Minors have the same right to enforce their legal rights through civil actions as adults, but they need a guardian to handle the proceedings for them.
A minor may enforce the minor’s rights by civil action or other legal proceedings in the same manner as an adult, except that a guardian must conduct the action or proceedings.
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Section § 6602
If a minor needs to hire an attorney for a lawsuit, the contract for attorney fees needs a court's approval to be valid. This approval must be sought by someone interested in the case, and the request should go to either the court handling the case or the court overseeing the minor's guardianship. If the contract isn't approved but the minor wins a judgment, the court will decide how much the attorney gets paid.
A contract for attorney’s fees for services in litigation, made by or on behalf of a minor, is void unless the contract is approved, on petition by an interested person, by the court in which the litigation is pending or by the court having jurisdiction of the guardianship estate of the minor. If the contract is not approved and a judgment is recovered by or on behalf of the minor, the attorney’s fees chargeable against the minor shall be fixed by the court rendering the judgment.
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