{"id":352027,"date":"2023-08-30T11:34:34","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T16:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/contributing-to-the-delinquency-of-a-minor.html"},"modified":"2023-08-30T11:34:34","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T16:34:34","slug":"contributing-to-the-delinquency-of-a-minor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/contributing-to-the-delinquency-of-a-minor.html","title":{"rendered":"Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

An adult who helps, encourages, or contributes to a minor child becoming a juvenile delinquent may face criminal charges of \u201ccontributing to the delinquency of a minor" or "contributing to delinquency." A minor child is anyone under the age of majority, which is 18 years of age in most states.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Colorado was the first state to establish the crime in 1903. Now, every state has such laws, though most have carved out exceptions.<\/p>\n

A common issue surrounds adults providing alcohol to minors. A minor cannot purchase or possess alcohol. Minors who do are engaging in an act of juvenile delinquency<\/a>. So, in most circumstances, an adult who provides alcohol to a minor commits the crime of contributing to delinquency.
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In most states, the same general rules apply when assessing illegal acts between adults and minors. Adults commit crimes, and their cases proceed in the state’s criminal justice system. Minors (juveniles) commit delinquent acts, and their cases proceed in juvenile or family court. Adult cases may end with a criminal conviction. A minor’s case may end with an adjudication as a delinquent child (juvenile).<\/p>\n

Definitions of delinquency and laws affecting juveniles<\/a> may vary from state to state. This article focuses on the adult crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, especially with alcohol. If you are arrested for a crime related to delinquency, discuss your options with a criminal defense lawyer<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Elements of the Contributing to Delinquency Crime<\/h2>\n

Every state makes it a crime for adults to aid a minor’s act of delinquency. While the crime in each state may differ somewhat, it is generally similar in scope. For instance, most states will file contributing to delinquency charges if you buy or provide a case of beer for a teen. They also will file if you host a keg party<\/a> attended by your teenage child and their friends. This will most often be a misdemeanor offense. Some states may elevate the crime to a felony in certain circumstances.<\/p>\n

The elements of contributing to delinquency often include:<\/p>\n

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  1. An adult (or another minor, in some states) committed an act or failed to perform a duty; and<\/li>\n
  2. The act or omission caused (or had the tendency to cause), helped, encouraged, or contributed to a minor child becoming or remaining:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n