What are the different kinds of delinquent acts?

If a child is “delinquent” it means they have been found guilty of a crime. So a delinquent act is any act that is criminal if committed by an adult.

There are other acts called “status offenses” that are not criminal in nature that can justify an officer of the law detaining a juvenile. These offenses are:

Truancy (skipping school)
Running away from home
Being out past curfew
Loitering in places unlawful for a minor (such as bars)
Alcohol use
Disobeying a parent

If a child commits these acts on a regular basis, they are deemed to be “in need of services.”

Posted in: Juvenile