What is Juvenile Delinquency?
Juvenile delinquency generally refers to illegal behavior by children or adolescents. The meaning and age of a juvenile varies from country to country, but is generally considered between the ages of 10 and 18. Check your local laws and statutes to determine the appropriate age in your jurisdiction.
What is a Juvenile Delinquent?
A Juvenile Delinquent is a child or adolescent who repeatedly commits a crime. Examples of illegal behavior performed by such delinquents include:
- Theft or the stealing of property, money, or other items
- Breaking and entering, also known as burglary
- Pick-pocketing
- Loitering (hanging out near establishments when prohibited)
- Sexual offenses
Causes of Juvenile Delinquency
There are many different theories on the causes of crimes committed by juvenile delinquents. In the most straightforward cases, the motivation to commit a crime is caused by peer pressure, when one child “dares” another child to do something. This is often how criminal behavior begins, as children get a “high” or a “rush” from taking on more daring challenges.
Many children in this situation don’t think of their activity as illegal but as simply having fun. Unfortunately, their “fun” leads to stolen property, property damage, bodily injury, and other harmful situations.
In other situations, some children fall in with the wrong crowd. They start staying out late on the streets, hanging out with other friends who are not supervised by adults. This newfound freedom can often lead to experimentation with alcohol and illegal drugs.
Gang Involvement
Juvenile delinquency and bad behavior can be linked to gang involvement in more extreme cases. Many established gangs target young children because they can be more easily controlled. Young teens are often used as “runners,” taking information, stealing property, or even illegal drugs from one location to another.
This tactic is used because of the perceived safety of sending these materials via a young adult, as they are less likely to suspect than older teens and adults.
Mental Disorders and Behavioral Issues
Juvenile delinquents sometimes have mental disorders/behavioral issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder. Sometimes, they are diagnosed with conduct disorder partially due to their delinquent behaviors. In these cases, parents, friends, and school teachers must help direct the child to get help.
Getting the child the appropriate help at an early age may help prevent them from becoming adult offenders.
Other Potential Causes of Juvenile Delinquency
- Poverty
- Lack of educational opportunities and extracurricular activities
- Neighborhood / geographic area – The surrounding environment can impact children.
- Family problems – lack of family involvement, divorced or separated parents
Can a Private Investigator Help?
Watching your child struggle is one of a parent’s greatest fears. You might notice changing behaviors, falling grades, or a new, secretive group of friends. These can be signs of juvenile delinquency, and it’s normal to feel lost and unsure of what to do. While you hope it’s just a phase, ignoring potential problems can lead to serious consequences. A private investigator (PI) can be a discreet and valuable partner, helping you uncover the truth so you can intervene effectively.
Understanding the Problem
Juvenile delinquency refers to illegal or destructive acts committed by minors. This can range from skipping school (truancy) and vandalism to more serious issues like theft, drug use, or gang activity. Many parents only see the symptoms at home, not the root causes that happen outside of it. A PI’s job is to fill in those gaps and give you a clear, factual picture of what’s really going on. You need facts, not just suspicions, to make the right decisions for your child.
Gathering Objective Information
A private investigator provides a key service: surveillance. This isn’t about invading your child’s privacy for no reason. It’s about ensuring their safety by discovering the facts. A PI can discreetly observe your teen to see where they go, who they spend time with, and what they are doing. Are they really at the library, or are they somewhere else? Are their new friends a positive or negative influence?
This investigation provides you with objective evidence, such as photos, videos, and detailed reports. This proof can be crucial. It helps you understand the severity of the situation and move past denial or arguments. With facts in hand, you can have a more productive conversation with your teen and any professionals you bring in to help.
Uncovering Hidden Dangers
Today’s risks go beyond what happens on the street. A PI can also conduct specialized investigations into online activity. They can help identify cyberbullying, online predators, or exposure to dangerous content on social media. This is critical, as many negative influences start online before moving into the real world.
Furthermore, a PI can be essential in locating a runaway teen. In these high-stakes situations, a PI has the skills and resources to track leads, interview contacts, and work to bring your child home safely.
The Goal is Always Protection
It’s important to understand that hiring a PI is not about “catching” your teen or getting them in trouble. The ultimate goal is to protect them. Statistics show that risky behaviors are common. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 22% of high school students have recently ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.
The information a PI provides empowers you to act before a situation spirals out of control. It allows you to get your child the right kind of help, whether that means counseling, therapy, or medical intervention. Facing a difficult truth is hard, but it’s the first step toward getting your child back on a safe and healthy path. A PI gives you the clarity needed to take that step.
Questions and Comments
If you have any questions about juvenile delinquency, please post a comment below. For more detailed information, visit the Wikipedia page. In addition, view other terms in our glossary of investigation terms.