Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency refers to violations of the criminal law committed by individuals who are below the legal age of criminal responsibility, but above a certain minimum age. This entry reviews how society's view of juveniles has evolved over time, which has shaped the definition and treatment of juvenile delinquents. The methods used to measure juvenile delinquency and the extent of delinquency in the United States is also discussed. The entry concludes with an overview of several theories that explain why juveniles engage in delinquency or why there are higher rates of delinquency in some places versus others.