True or false: Being part of a status offense means a juvenile has been accused of a crime.

A status offense refers to behavior that is considered an offense only because of the age of the individual, meaning it is a violation of the law that applies specifically to juveniles. Examples include truancy, running away from home, underage drinking, or curfew violations. These actions are not classified as criminal offenses for adults; instead, they are seen as issues that may indicate the juvenile needs guidance or intervention rather than punishment.

Thus, being categorized under a status offense does not imply that the juvenile has been accused of a crime in the traditional sense. Rather, it highlights behavior that society deems inappropriate for their age, focusing more on their developmental needs and less on criminal culpability. This distinction is essential to understand the juvenile justice system’s approach, which emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment for juvenile offenders.