Legal Definitions - status offender

Definition: A status offender is a youth who engages in conduct that is considered inappropriate enough to bring a charge against the youth in juvenile court, but is not considered a crime by adult standards. It refers to a juvenile who commits a status offense.

Examples: Examples of status offenses include truancy, running away from home, and underage drinking. These behaviors are not illegal for adults, but they are considered inappropriate for minors. If a minor engages in any of these behaviors, they can be charged as a status offender.

Explanation: The examples illustrate the definition of status offender by showing that these are behaviors that are not considered criminal for adults, but are considered inappropriate for minors. If a minor engages in these behaviors, they can be charged as a status offender and brought to juvenile court. The purpose of charging minors as status offenders is to provide them with the necessary support and guidance to prevent them from engaging in more serious criminal behavior in the future.