STATUS OFFENSES

The family division of the circuit court handles cases involving minors under the age of 17 who repeatedly refuse to obey parents, do not attend school or run away from home. These offenses are called status offenses. Status offense violations can only be committed by a minor, not an adult.The consequences of greater numbers of status offenders are numerous. On an individual level, runaways are at a greater risk of disease or injury on the street. Truants are likely to be removed from schools permanently, which lessens their opportunities for success. Also, children labeled as ungovernable are likely to weaken already fragile ties to family and community. On a societal level, there are economic ramifications to specific status offenses. For example,according to a 1989 study, each year's class of dropouts will cost the nation approximately $260 billion in lost earnings and taxes. (Carnegie Council, 1989) The same study claims that welfare dependency is reduced by 35% for each year a student stays in high school.