A delinquent act is best described as which of the following?

A delinquent act is best described as which of the following?

• A. Any act by a child under 8 years old that would be a crime
• B. Any act by a child at least 8 years old which, if done by an adult, would be a crime or designated delinquent offense
• C. An act only punishable in civil court
• D. An act by a juvenile that cannot be charged as a crime

Answer: (B)

Delinquent acts are actions by a juvenile that would be crimes if an adult committed them, or are designated delinquent offenses. In Arizona, a child must be at least eight years old to be subject to delinquency proceedings for such acts. So the description that fits best is an act by a child who is at least eight years old which, if done by an adult, would be a crime or designated delinquent offense. The other options don’t fit because acts by younger children aren’t charged as delinquent acts, and delinquency involves the juvenile court system—not civil court—and it does involve acts that could be charged as crimes in adults.

Delinquent acts are actions by a juvenile that would be crimes if an adult committed them, or are designated delinquent offenses. In Arizona, a child must be at least eight years old to be subject to delinquency proceedings for such acts. So the description that fits best is an act by a child who is at least eight years old which, if done by an adult, would be a crime or designated delinquent offense. The other options don’t fit because acts by younger children aren’t charged as delinquent acts, and delinquency involves the juvenile court system—not civil court—and it does involve acts that could be charged as crimes in adults.