Describe the three major types of cases that may be heard in juvenile court. Provide examples of each type of case.

Question

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Answer 1

Juvenile court matters fall into three major categories: delinquency, status offenses, and child in need of supervision (sometimes called child-victims). Delinquency is a violation of a criminal law that would be a crime if the act were committed by an adult. Common examples include theft, burglary, sale or possession of drugs, and criminal damage to property. Status offenses involve acts that are illegal only for juveniles. Common examples include running away from home, truancy, possession of alcohol, incorrigibility/ungovernability, and curfew violations. Juvenile courts also deal with children in need of supervision, sometimes referred to as child-victims. Such children are before the court through no fault of their own. These types of cases generally involve issues of child abandonment, child abuse (such as battered children), or child neglect (such as children who are not receiving proper education or medical care).