Juvenile Delinquency, History of

Juvenile delinquency refers to violations of criminal laws or statute violations committed by youth, usually less than 18 years of age. Unlike adult offenders, in most states adjudicated youth offenders are not sentenced for specific crimes per se but rather given dispositions reflective of their delinquent status that may include diversion, restitution, community service, probation, or even incarceration.

To speak of juvenile “delinquency” in any strict sense prior to this is anachronistic, as with few exceptions young offenders were treated the same as adult offenders, including the ...