Legal Definitions - CHINS

Definition: CHINS stands for child in need of supervision. It refers to a child who has committed an offense that only children can commit, such as being ungovernable and disobedient to parents, running away from home, violating a curfew, being habitually truant from school, violating age restrictions on the purchase or possession of liquor or tobacco, or the like.

Examples:

• A 14-year-old who repeatedly runs away from home without permission from their parents.
• A 16-year-old who violates curfew by staying out past the designated time.
• A 17-year-old who purchases and consumes alcohol, which is illegal for minors.

These examples illustrate how a child can be considered a CHINS if they commit an offense that is specific to their age group.