What is the difference between delinquency and status offenses?

The legal distinction in North Carolina between delinquency and status offenses is related to the age of young people who commit certain crimes. Delinquency involves acts that would be crimes if committed by an adult. This includes crimes such as vandalism, theft, and possession of drugs. Delinquent juveniles typically face criminal penalties and can be detained or tried in a juvenile court. Status offenses, on the other hand, are acts that are not considered criminal when committed by adults, but are considered offenses when committed by minors. Some examples of status offenses in North Carolina include illegal gambling, truancy, and curfew violations. Typically, juveniles cited for status offenses face less serious consequences, such as counseling or community service. Additionally, status offenders are not tried in criminal court; rather, they are often referred to juvenile court, or in some instances, family court. In summary, the difference between delinquency and status offenses in North Carolina is that delinquency involves acts that are considered criminal when committed by adults, whereas status offenses involve acts that are only illegal when committed by juveniles.

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What is the difference between delinquency and status offenses?

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