A infant is not supposed to be able to suffer, i.e., to do an act to his own prejudice.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) An infant is presumed incapable of performing any act to his own prejudice — invoke this to void a minor's improvident conveyance, waiver, or admission as beyond his legal capacity.

Where this applies

• A fifteen-year-old signs away his inheritance rights in a settlement agreement, but the court voids the waiver because a minor is presumed incapable of acting to his own prejudice.
• A child actor's parents have her sign a contract giving up future royalties; the court holds the agreement unenforceable because an infant cannot be assumed to do an act that harms her own interests.
• A minor confesses to a crime without a parent or attorney present; the defense argues the confession should be suppressed because the law presumes a child cannot make statements that prejudice himself.