Entry
Entries A-Z
Delinquency
Illegal behavior conducted by someone who is not yet an adult. In response to a growing social perception that juvenile offenders are distinct from adult offenders, the first juvenile court was established in Illinois in 1899. A separate justice system, in which young people are to be treated differently, was quickly instituted around the country. This created a new class of offender—the juvenile delinquent. Jurisdictions routinely enact legislation that deems certain behaviors, such as truancy or running away, illegal only if com mitted by a juvenile. Therefore, delinquency encom passes a wide range of behaviors.