Canon 1136

1. Minors and those who lack the use of reason can stand trial

only through their parents or guardians or curators. 2. If the

judge decides that their rights are in conflict with the rights

of the parents, guardians or curators, or that the latter cannot

satisfactorily safeguard the rights of the former, then they are

to be represented in the trial by a guardian or curator appointed

by the judge. 3. But in spiritual cases and in cases connected

with spiritual matters, if minors have attained the use of reason, they can act and respond without the consent of parents or

guardian; if they have completed their fourteenth year of age,

they can do so on their own; if a not, through a curator appointed by the judge. 4. Those deprived of the administration of

their goods and those who are of diminished mental capacity can

stand trial personally only to answer for their own offenses or

at the prescription of the judge; in all other cases they must

act and respond through their curators.