Presentation Transcript

1. Status Offenses

2. Definition -An action that is prohibited only to a certain class of people, and most often applied to offenses only committed by minors -motive is not considered in determining guilt -juvenile status offense is a crime that cannot be committed by an adult ex: possession of a firearm by a minor
3. Most Common Types: chronic or persistent truancy: skipping school with no reason, parent/guardian has no knowledge of their child’s behavior underage possession and use of alcohol violating curfew laws: established by cities or counties
4. Least Common Types running away being ungovernable or incorrigible: parent/guardian cannot control child’s behavior
5. Goals of Status Offenses -To separate youths who commit delinquent offenses from youths who commit status offenses
6. How Status Offenses Classify Youth Classifies youths as status offenders Youths are not labeled as criminals Status offenses are not real offenses, they just represent the youth’s status as a minor
7. Consequences of Status Offenses Options: 1. deferred adjudication: no formal ruling that he/she committed crime as long as they do not commit another for a long period of time 2. probation: continue to live at home, length of probation depends on severity of crime and juvenile's prior record 3. disposition: arrangement for juvenile to be boarded at state school, based on severity of crime and willingness of parents to keep them at home 4. secure confinement
8. Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act passed by Congress in 1974 Goals: discouraging confinement after hearing, even if found to be guilty not incarcerated within “sight or sound” of adults minority juvenile’s do not represent a disproportionate number of those detained based on the total population created Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: conducts research, and provides training and funding to state and local juvenile delinquency prevention programs
9. STATISTICS Runaways: 27.8% (108,900) Curfew Violations: 36.2% (143,000) Liquor Law Violations: 35.9% (141,000)
10. Status Offense in North Carolina Youth ages 6-17: Upper age for delinquency jurisdiction: 15 yrs, for status offense jurisdiction: 17 yrs. Lower age for delinquency jurisdiction and status offense jurisdiction: 6 yrs. Status Offenses: being unlawfully absent from school being beyond the control of a parent/guardian being in unlawful places running away from home for a period of over 24 hours *Status offense cases are classified as undisciplined juveniles. The district court has jurisdiction over status offenders and delinquents. A court may extend jurisdiction until a juvenile reaches 21.
11. Discussion Questions What’s the goal of status offenses? Can adults receive status offenses? Do status offenses classify youths as status offenders? Some states states prohibit the placement of youth in secure facilities under any circumstances; others allow and use frequently the court’s powers to place youth in secure confinement. What side do you agree with? What psychological effects could secure confinement have on youth?
12. Bibliography Dictionary.com juvjustice.org Michon, Kathleen. "Juvenile Law: Status Offenses." Nolo.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2014 www2.dsgonline.com/dso/dso_about_status_offense_statistics.aspx‎ "Status Offenses." Get Legal, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.