Antisocial or illegal behavior by a person under the legal age.
Behaviour by a young person that would be judged a crime if carried out by an adult. Delinquency may also include non-criminal activities for example, running away from home, missing school lessons, drug or alcohol abuse, and unruly behaviour in public places.
Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal behavior exhibited by individuals who are below the official age at which they can be prosecuted. This term is often broadened to encompass other problematic behaviors such as drug abuse, truancy, or running away from home. The occurrence of delinquency in juveniles is believed to stem from a combination of social, psychological, and biological factors. Interventions such as child guidance or family therapy may be recommended to address these issues. In cases involving persistent offenders, alternative measures like enrollment in special schools, placement into care, or becoming wards of court may be considered.