What are status offenses in juvenile law?

• A. Crimes that exist only in the juvenile system and have no adult equivalent.
• B. Crimes that are illegal regardless of age but are treated the same in juvenile court.
• C. Offenses illegal due to juvenile status (e.g., truancy, curfew violations, running away).
• D. Non-criminal conduct that may result in counseling instead of formal charges.

Answer: (C)

Status offenses are acts that are illegal specifically because the person is a juvenile. They wouldn’t be crimes if an adult did them. Examples include truancy, curfew violations, and running away from home. In juvenile court, these offenses are often handled with a focus on rehabilitation, supervision, or counseling rather than punishment, reflecting the concern for the juvenile’s welfare and potential for reform.

The other descriptions don’t fit as well. Some offenses may not have a direct adult equivalent, but that isn’t what defines a status offense. Crimes that are illegal regardless of age and are treated the same in juvenile court describe regular criminal acts, not status offenses. And non-criminal counseling or services can be part of handling some juvenile cases, but status offenses themselves are illegal acts, not merely non-criminal conduct.