Sociology 2267A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Juvenile Court, Status Offense, Truancy
25 Jan 2017
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Running away from home, truancy, incorrigibility, violating curfew are all examples of status offenses. If committed by an adult, they would not be a violation. Especially likely to be enforced against females. We view juvenile delinquents differently than adult criminals. If a juvenile breaks the law, we generally view that person as immature and in need of our guidance and help. If an adult breaks the law, we generally view that person as someone who is responsible for his or her behavior and deserves to be punished. In a recent poll, 21 percent of the public said that rehabilitation should be the most important sentencing goal for adults. 50 percent said that it should be the most important sentencing goal for juveniles. A status offense is a violation because of the juvenile status of the offender. The state felt it necessary to regulate the lives of juveniles more closely than adults.
