O Indiana » Status offense issues

Labeling, 2015

• In need of aid, assistance, or care

• In need of services

• In need of supervision

• Unruly

• Status offender

In Indiana, status offense cases are classified as delinquent children who commit certain other acts and who need care, treatment or rehabilitation. Behaviors include leaving home without parental or guardian permission, failing to attend school, disobeying the commands of a parent or guardian, violation of curfew, possession or consumption of alcohol and possession of fireworks.

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Age boundaries, 2016

In Indiana, no lower age is specified for a “child in need of services.” Many status offenses are labeled “delinquent acts” in a separate chapter. The highest age a child’s conduct can be considered a status offense is 17. Non-delinquent conduct and conditions include: endangering self or others, being a victim of a sex offense or living with someone else involved with a sex offense, and being a missing child. Indiana labels other status offenses in statute as "delinquent children who commit certain other acts [and are] in need of care. Those acts include: running away, truancy, disobedience, curfew violations, and commission of certain alcohol and fireworks violations. IN ST 31-9-2-13, -17, and -37; [also see 31-34-1-1 through -16 and 31-37-2-1 through -7]

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