What is the difference between delinquency and status offenses?

The difference between delinquency and status offenses is that delinquency involves violations of criminal law, while status offenses are specific behaviors considered violations of the law only for minors. In Washington, delinquency is any crime or illegal activity committed by a minor. Examples of delinquency include theft, property damage, drug and alcohol violations, reckless behavior, and violence. The punishment for delinquency could include probation, community service, fines, or even jail time. Status offenses, on the other hand, are only illegal for minors. These offenses include skipping school, running away, underage drinking, and violating curfew laws. In Washington, minors over the age of sixteen may be tried as adults for certain delinquency crimes. Delinquency is considered more serious than status offenses, due to the fact that if an adult were to commit the same crime, he or she would be subject to more severe punishments, such as jail time. Because of this, juvenile court judges take a different approach to dealing with delinquency and status offenses. They are more likely to take into account the minor’s age and their situation at the time the offense was committed when determining an appropriate punishment.

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What is the difference between delinquency and status offenses?

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