Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency is commonly used to refer to the individual or group deviance, criminal acts, or delinquent behaviors that violate criminal law or other legal code. More specifically, the term [Page 1021]juvenile delinquency is typically used to describe behaviors that occur at the onset of the adolescent stage during the life course. Since the age range of juvenile delinquency varies from state to state, there are various viewpoints on the frequency or duration of juvenile delinquency, and whether adolescent delinquency desists in young adulthood. These complexities are also reflected in studies on juvenile delinquency, and policy implementation to address social issue. This entry provides a brief overview on the establishment of the concept of juvenile delinquency, explores factors that cause it, and examines how the ...