Which is an example of a status offense?

Which is an example of a status offense?

• A. Violation of Alcoholic Beverage Code applicable to minors
• B. Robbery
• C. Speeding
• D. Tax evasion

Answer: (A)

Status offenses are acts that are illegal specifically because the person is a minor. An example is underage possession or consumption of alcohol—minors are prohibited from drinking, while adults may legally do so in many places. This makes it a status offense, tied to the offender’s age rather than a crime that someone of any age commits. Robbery, speeding, and tax evasion are crimes that are not defined by the offender’s minor status; they are offenses that can be committed by adults as well. So they aren’t status offenses.

Status offenses are acts that are illegal specifically because the person is a minor. An example is underage possession or consumption of alcohol—minors are prohibited from drinking, while adults may legally do so in many places. This makes it a status offense, tied to the offender’s age rather than a crime that someone of any age commits.

Robbery, speeding, and tax evasion are crimes that are not defined by the offender’s minor status; they are offenses that can be committed by adults as well. So they aren’t status offenses.