Discuss the difference between a juvenile who is considered a status offender and one who is considered delinquent. Provide at least two examples for each in your discussion.
A juvenile status offender has basically committed illegal acts, or found to have illegal behaviour as a minor; people who have not passed the age-of-majority (usually 18, in most places or states). These acts do not necessarily equate to a criminal act when done by an adult. Examples of such acts would be sexual behaviour which refers to having sexual relationships with either adults or minors alike, and alcoholism. Juvenile delinquency, on the other hand, is the act of committing crimes by minors, as well. The person deemed as a juvenile delinquent will be subject to trial depending on the weight of his/her crime. Minor cases would be tried by the juvenile court, but for major cases, the accused might become subject to an adult trial. Delinquency may be determined as what is considered a crime in the governing institution of the state/country. Examples of juvenile delinquency may range from small, school crimes to adult crimes such as murder or theft. What basically separates the delinquents from the status offenders is that delinquents commit crimes, while status offenders are judged as such mainly due to their age. It has been debated time and again whether it would be wise to group these two kinds of offenders despite being in the juvenile category. There is fear that the delinquents who have committed major crimes would influence the status offenders being held in the same institution.
Bibliography
Cowan, D. (2011, August 31). CJPapers. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from Blogspot.com: http://cjpapers.blogspot.com/2011/08/juvenile-delinquents-vs-status.html
Ellis-Christensen, T. (2013, January 3). What is Juvenile Delinquency. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from WiseGeek.org: http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-juvenile-delinquency.htm
Michon, K. (n.d.). Juvenile Law: Status Offenses. Retrieved January 26, 2013, from NOLO: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/juvenile-law-status-offenses-32227.html
