Legal Definitions - young offender

A young offender is a person who has committed a crime and is under the age of 18. They may also be referred to as a youthful offender or youth offender.

Examples of young offenders include teenagers who have been caught shoplifting or vandalizing property, or young adults who have committed more serious crimes like assault or theft.

Young offenders may be tried in juvenile court, where they may receive special programs and community supervision to help them turn their lives around. However, in some cases, they may be tried as adults and face harsher penalties.

Overall, a young offender is someone who has made a mistake and needs guidance and support to make better choices in the future.