What is the difference between a juvenile delinquent and a juvenile offender?

Juvenile delinquent and juvenile offender are terms used in the Texas Juvenile Law system to refer to juveniles who have committed a criminal offense. The difference between the two terms is that a juvenile delinquent is a juvenile who has committed a delinquent offense. Delinquent offenses are those that would be considered crimes if committed by an adult, such as theft or vandalism. A juvenile offender is a juvenile who has committed a status offense. A status offense is one that is considered a crime only when a juvenile commits it, such as staying out past curfew or truancy. When a juvenile is adjudicated as a juvenile delinquent, they are typically referred to a juvenile court and may be subject to probation, community service, or a jail sentence. A juvenile offender, on the other hand, is usually referred to a diversion program or counseling. The goal of these programs is to provide the juvenile with the tools and resources they need to make better decisions in the future. In summary, the main difference between a juvenile delinquent and a juvenile offender is the type of offense committed. Juvenile delinquents commit delinquent offenses, while juvenile offenders commit status offenses. Depending on the offense committed, a juvenile may be subject to different forms of punishment; however, the goal of any punishment should be to provide guidance, resources, and support that can help the juvenile offender grow and learn from their mistakes.

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What is the difference between a juvenile delinquent and a juvenile offender?

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