f New Mexico » Status offense issues

Labeling, 2015

• In need of aid, assistance, or care

• In need of services

• In need of supervision

• Unruly

• Status offender

In New Mexico, status offense cases are classified as status offenders or Families in Need of Court-Ordered Services and include being a runaway, a truant, and/or a juvenile who has committed a status offense that is not classified a delinquent act (exception: out-of-state runaway juveniles as mandated by state and/or federal law).

Age boundaries, 2016

In New Mexico, no lower age is specified for a “child in need of services” or a child who is a member of a “family in need of court-ordered services.” The highest age a child’s conduct can be considered a status offense is 17. Non-delinquent behaviors include: truancy and running away. Fine-only, child-only offenses (petty misdemeanors) are generally labeled ‘delinquent’ or are under the jurisdiction of magistrate/municipal court. NM ST § 32A-1-4, 32A-3B-2

Reported data

Progressive data, 2016

The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department dedicates an entire section of their Juvenile Justice Services Annual Report series to status referrals. The section provides information about the source of status referrals, top offenses, and the number of referrals by gender, race/ethnicity, and age. The report also includes information about actions taken and dispositions for status offenses, including how they were handled (formally or informally).

View the New Mexico Juvenile Justice Services (annual statistical report series) >>