Delinquent, in the context of monetary transactions, refers to a payment which is owing and overdue. When used in reference to individuals, it refers to carelessness or recklessness.
For example, homeowners who fail to timely pay property taxes owed may be subject to having their home sold in a foreclosure proceeding in order to collect delinquent taxes. State laws on foreclosre proceedings vary, but most require that the property owner be provided with a notice of the delinquency and an opportunity to pay the amounts due to avoid foreclosure.
A juvenile delinquent is defined as a juvenile who has committed a delinquent act or is in need of car or supervision. A delinquent act is an act committed by a child that is designated a violation, misdemeanor, or felony offense under the law of a state or of another state if the act occurred in another state or under federal law or a violation of a municipal ordinance except violations of municipal curfew ordinances. The term usually does not include most traffic offenses committed by one 16 years of age or older. Juvenile delinquents are subject to state statutes, which vary by state, allowing for, among other things, taking the juvenile into custody, ordering restitution for offenses committed, and compliance with supervisory conditions.
