What is juvenile crime?

Juvenile crime is any type of crime committed by a person under the age of 18. In Virginia, juvenile crimes are treated differently than crimes committed by adults. Juvenile crime is a serious issue in Virginia and can have serious consequences. In Virginia, juvenile crime is broken down into three categories: delinquency, status offenses, and criminal acts. Delinquency is any act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. Examples of delinquent acts include shoplifting, vandalism, truancy, and drunkenness. Status offenses are behaviors that are considered criminal because of age, such as underage drinking or curfew violations. Criminal acts are crimes committed by a juvenile that would also be considered a crime if the individual were an adult. These include crimes such as assault and battery, robbery, or drug offenses. The Virginia Juvenile Justice System was established to address juvenile crime in a way that emphasizes rehabilitation and treatment, rather than punishment. Juveniles are typically tried and sentenced in juvenile court, separate from adult criminal proceedings. This can involve probation, community service or educational programs, or placement in a juvenile detention center. No matter the crime, the ultimate goal of juvenile criminal proceedings is to provide juveniles with the skills they need to keep from committing crimes in the future. In Virginia, juvenile crime is taken seriously, and those convicted can face serious consequences.

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What is juvenile crime?

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