What Is A Juvenile Crime? Attorney Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answer “What classifies as a juvenile crime?”
Jessica Ambuehl: So Matt, what is a juvenile crime?
Matt Brown: A juvenile crime is essentially any crime committed by a person 18 years or younger.
There are two different categories of juvenile crimes: juvenile delinquency, and then there’s also a separate category of status crimes.
When you think in terms of juvenile delinquency, that’s a crime. Any adult crime, violent crimes, drug crimes, property crimes.
But then there’s also what’s termed as status offenses. Status offenses are things like truancy, minor in possession of alcohol, minor alcohol cases, not making good grades at school, things like that.
Jessica Ambuehl: What are the most common juvenile crimes that you guys see?
Chris Combs: We see a wide array of them. I would say that probably the most common are drugs and alcohol – something related to drugs and alcohol – and property crimes. Again, we see a wide array of crimes, but those are the most common.
Jessica Ambuehl: And are property crimes typically personal or are they business related?
Chris Combs: I would say by property crimes like stolen cars, joy riding, breaking into cars, things like that.
Now of course you will see violent crime as well. All across the spectrum. But by property crimes, I mean like car break-ins, perhaps burglarizing businesses, or breaking into homes when no one’s there and things like that.
If you need Missouri’s leading criminal defense and juvenile crimes law firm to protect the rights and futures of yourself or someone you love, call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case review.
