juvenile delinquency

noun

Definition of juvenile delinquency

1 : conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action

2 : a violation of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment

Other Words from juvenile delinquency Example Sentences Learn More About juvenile delinquency

Examples of juvenile delinquency in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web According to Hoffman's letter, Judge Dowling was made aware of around 100 cases in Delaware County involving termination of parental rights, a Child In Need of Services (CHINS) and possibly juvenile delinquency that have been affected. — Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Oct. 2020 All charges are listed in a juvenile delinquency petition, which differs from a criminal complaint in terms of public accessibility and the type of punishment that can be imposed. — Jim Riccioli, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2022 The nonprofit’s website indicated it is based in South Holland and was created in 2007 to address problems of juvenile delinquency in Chicago’s poorest communities. — Mike Nolan, chicagotribune.com, 2 Mar. 2022 The girl faces three charges of juvenile delinquency: one count of assault and battery on a person over age 60 causing serious injury, and two counts of assault and battery on a public employee, according to police. — BostonGlobe.com, 4 Nov. 2021 State officials have been struggling to manage the increase in juvenile delinquency and credit much of it to the COVID-19 pandemic. — Jessika Harkay, courant.com, 21 July 2021 After Japan is plunged into a recession that sees dramatic rises in juvenile delinquency, a busload of students are shipped to a remote island to fight to the death, both as an example to the nation’s youth and as a form of horrifying entertainment. — Liam Hes, Vogue, 14 July 2021 Reyes has three juvenile delinquency adjudications dating back to 2017 and four pending juvenile cases, including an armed robbery case, authorities said. — William Lee, chicagotribune.com, 7 Dec. 2020 When Pierce was young, her mother volunteered at a youth home in Fort Wayne that engaged with juvenile delinquency cases, and Pierce and her brothers would join her in serving at holiday parties for the youth there. — Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 3 Dec. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'juvenile delinquency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About juvenile delinquency

Dictionary Entries Near juvenile delinquency

juvenile court

juvenile delinquency

juvenile diabetes

Statistics for juvenile delinquency

Last Updated

23 Mar 2022

Cite this Entry

“Juvenile delinquency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juvenile%20delinquency. Accessed 17 May. 2022.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

More Definitions for juvenile delinquency

juvenile delinquency

noun

Medical Definition of juvenile delinquency

1 : conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is subject to legal action

2 : a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult

juvenile delinquency

noun

Legal Definition of juvenile delinquency

: a violation of the law committed by a juvenile that would have been a crime if committed by an adult also : antisocial behavior by juveniles that is subject to legal action