n South Carolina » Status offense issues

Labeling, 2015

• In need of aid, assistance, or care

• In need of services

• In need of supervision

• Unruly

• Status offender

In South Carolina, status offense cases are classified as status offenders and includes any offense which would not be a misdemeanor or felony if committed by an adult including, but not limited to, incorrigibility or beyond the control of parents, truancy, running away, playing or loitering in a billiard room, playing a pinball machine, or gaining admission to a theater by false identification.

Age boundaries, 2016

In South Carolina, no lower age is specified for a child who allegedly commits a “status offense.” The highest age a child’s conduct can be considered a “status offense” under original juvenile court jurisdiction is 16. The upper age will rise to 17 on July 1, 2019. Non-delinquent behaviors include: incorrigibility (beyond the control of parents), truancy, running away, playing or loitering in a billiard room, playing a pinball machine or gaining admission to a theater by false identification, and other child-only offenses. Family court jurisdiction can extend up to age 21. SC ST § 63-19-20, 63-1-40

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