- Status offense
A status offense is an action that is prohibited only to a certain class of people, and most often applied to
offense s only committed by minors. In some cases, it is used to mean a regulatory offense.Usage
Definitions of status offense vary. A neutral definition may be "A type of crime that is not based upon prohibited action or inaction but rests on the fact that the offender has a certain personal condition or is of a specified character." [ [http://law.enotes.com/wests-law-encyclopedia/status-offense Definition of status offense] Enotes.com] The
Federal Sentencing Guidelines states that a juvenile status offense is a crime which can not be committed by an adult. [U.S.S.G. § 4A1.2(c)(2).] , i.e. possession of a firearm "by a minor" - that cannot be done by an adult. In some states the term "status offense" does not apply to adults at all; according to Wyoming law, status offenses can only be committed by people under 18 years of age. [(2002) [http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2006/interim/jud/BILLS/07lso-0076w2.pdf Working Draft.] State of Wyoming.]"Juvenile status offenders are distinguished from juvenile delinquent offenders. Status offenders have not committed an act that would be a crime if committed by an adult; delinquent youths have committed such an act." [ [http://law.jrank.org/pages/1543/Juvenile-Status-Offenders.html Juvenile Status Offenders.] ]
The term may also be used to mean a regulatory offense, in the sense of a violation of a Rule or
Regulation .Examples
Status offenses may include underage consumption of alcohol,
tobacco smoking ,truancy , and running away from home.Status offense may also apply to other classes, including laws forbiding ownership of
firearm s by felons, where such ownership is otherwise legal.ee also
*
Person In Need of Supervision
*Quasi-criminal
*Regulatory offences
*Youth rights References
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