Introduction
When a child gets involved in the juvenile justice system, they can face a challenging situation as a parent. During this time, it’s essential to know the option and possibilities to make informed decisions.
Status offenses are one type of case your child must be facing in the juvenile justice system.
The U.S. Legal system recognizes status offenses as the deemed offenses committed by minors (under the age of 18). The same offense, if done by adults, would not affect them.
In simple words- a status offense includes something illegal for juveniles, and the same gets legal for an adult. When caught of status offense, minors have a particular category under special units in the legal system.
The juvenile courts are responsible for ensuring the excellent conduct of minorities depending on the rule within different states.
What type of Acts can get treated as Status offenses?
Several activities are deemed offenses when committed by minors because of their age and time of action. The juveniles can get arrested for:
- Violating local curfew laws
- Truancy (being regularly absent from the school without excuse)
- Consuming alcohol or tobacco
- Running away
- Ungovernability
If the parents have contributed to their child’s offense, they may also have to bear some kind of punishment. Many parents opt for electronic surveillance to have a proper check on their children. To know more about electronic surveillance, visit Getlegal.com.
How does Status Offense get handled?
The penalties of status offenses generally involve less severe penalties in comparison to other crimes. The juvenile may get the order to:
- Pay a fine or restitution
- Go through counseling or other courses
- Live in a foster home or group home
- Detained at license
- Incur other administrative penalties
- The parent of the juvenile may also get the order to undergo counseling or parenting programs.
The family of the juvenile will have the accessibility to the services to help address the issues. It will help the child with stability and find ways to live a happier and productive life.
Depending on the circumstances and mental state of the child, the court may determine the child’s best interest. The court may even remove the child from the home if it’s in the child’s best interest. So it’s essential to explore all the options and have accurate information on such laws.
Status offenses help and protect the underprivileged youth who are at risk. Such crimes do not intend to punish the minors involved in the wrongdoing; instead, make them more responsible.
The punished status offenders have the opportunity to undergo reformation and training. Hence the juvenile courts administering such offenses give the privilege to the status offenders get treated with some standards of psychological assistance. It improves the welfare of status offenders. Click here to get more information about status offenses.
How is Status offense different from Juvenile delinquency?
- A status offense is an offense because of the offender’s status: the minors. The same action done by an adult is legal.
- Juvenile Delinquency also involves minors but all crimes. But the offenses included in this will be illegal for adults also. It means that status offense is a type of juvenile delinquency that lies at the less severe end of the spectrum. It’s so because if the same offense committed by an adult would not be a crime.
If a person is under 18 years of age and commits murder, rape, robbery with violence, or any other crime, it will get classified as an act of juvenile delinquency.
Summary:
Status offenses are known by the age of the offender and the time of the offense. The same act done by any adult at any time will get considered legal. Such laws protect minors from becoming delinquent or victims of a crime.
