| Jurisdictional Boundaries |
| Q: |
What types of violations constitute a status offense in each state? |
| A: |
State statutes commonly identify truancy, being a runaway, and ungovernability as status offenses. |
Status offenses specified in statute, 2013
(Click on the state name for additional information)
Notes: Table information is as of the end of the 2013 legislative session.
*Generally the VCO exception applies to already adjudicated status offenders; Arizona, and Kansas, however, specifically include the first time violation of a court order as a status offense.
**Colorado defines a status offense as having the same meaning as defined by federal law. A status offense is defined by federal law as conduct which would not be a crime under the law of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed if committed by an adult.
- In more than half of all states (29), truancy, being a runaway and ungovernability/incorrigibleness are all considered status offenses.
Status offense categories are adapted from Juvenile Court Statistics:
- Runaway-Leaving the custody and home of parents or guardians without permission and failing to return within a reasonable length of time in violation of a statute.
- Truancy-Violation of a compulsory school attendance law.
- Curfew-Being found in a public place after a specified hour, usually established in a local ordinance applying specifically to persons under a specified age.
- Liquor law violations-Violation of laws concerning possession, purchase or consumption of liquor by minors.
- Valid court order-Violation of a valid court order regulating a juvenile's behavior given by a juvenile court judge.
- Miscellaneous-Status offenses not included in the above categories or a general categorization such as an offense which would not be criminal if committed by an adult.
Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/structure_process/qa04121.asp?qaDate=2013.
Released on August 01, 2014.
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