Abstract
Status offenses are behaviors that are not crimes but are prohibited by the law due to an individual’s status as a minor. If these behaviors were committed by an adult, they would not be deemed illegal. Examples include truancy, running away, and curfew violations. Research shows that girls, especially girls-of-color, are more likely to be adjudicated as status offenders. Status offenses result in youth being involved within the juvenile justice system. Research suggests that this pathway does not end in one’s youth; instead, these youth then enter the criminal legal system as adults. Labeling theory is one theoretical perspective that may explain this pathway as youth begin to respond to the labels of “delinquent” and “status offender” by continuing these behaviors. System changes can be made to help reduce the prevalence of youth entering the juvenile and criminal legal system pathway.
Faculty Advisor
April Terry
Department/Program
Criminal Justice
Submission Type
in-person poster
Date
4-9-2024
Rights
Copyright the Author(s)
Recommended Citation
Deitering, Ryan and Terry, April
(2024)
"Status Offending to Criminal Legal System Involvement,"
SACAD: John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days: Vol. 2024, Article 51.
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/sacad/vol2024/iss2024/51
