Not All Offenders Should be Labeled Juvenile Delinquents

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Not All Offenders Should be Labeled Juvenile Delinquents

Juvenile delinquency is a critical concern to the general public. When adolescents commit crimes or are accused of an offense, they automatically become labeled criminals, delinquents, and deviants in the eyes of the courts, of the state, and of various people. However, is it fair to label them as such? When a status offense such as curfew, vandalism, or even disorderly conduct, is committed, the child should not be labeled a delinquent. The term delinquent should only be used if the child is a chronic offender of the same or different crime, or when the offense is more serious like murder or arson. Yet, because society is so narrow minded, a status offender will still be treated as a delinquent because technically a crime was committed that was still brought to a juvenile court or an official such as a judge, magistrate, or police officer. In addition, because the offender is given some type of discipline, individuals believe that this in fact, is why a status offender ...

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