Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor Law and Legal Definition
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a crime governed by state laws, which vary by state. Generally, the crime consists of someone knowingly persuading, inducing, enticing or encouraging such a child or youth to engage in actions that would constitute a violation of federal or state law or a municipal or local ordinance. Local laws should be consulted for applicability in your area. The following is an example of a state law dealing with contributing to the delinquency of a minor:
"(a) A person commits the crime of contributing to the delinquency of a minor if, being 19 years of age or older or being under 19 years of age and having the disabilities of minority removed for general purposes under AS 09.55.590 , the person aids, induces, causes, or encourages a child
(1) under 18 years of age to do any act prohibited by state law unless the child's disabilities of minority have been removed for general purposes under AS 09.55.590
;(2) under 18 years of age or allows a child under 18 years of age to enter or remain in the immediate physical presence of the unlawful manufacture, use, display, or delivery of a controlled substance knowing that the manufacture, use, display, or delivery is occurring, unless the child's disabilities of minority have been removed for general purposes under AS 09.55.590;
(3) under 16 years of age to be repeatedly absent from school, without just cause; or
(4) under 18 years of age to be absent from the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian without the permission of the parent, guardian, or custodian or without the knowledge of the parent, guardian, or custodian, unless the child's disabilities of minority have been removed for general purposes under AS 09.55.590 or the person has immunity under AS 47.10.350 or 47.10.398(a); it is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this paragraph that, at the time of the alleged offense, the defendant
(A) reasonably believed that the child was in danger of physical injury or in need of temporary shelter; and
(B) within 12 hours after taking the actions comprising the alleged offense, notified a peace officer, a law enforcement agency, or the Department of Health and Social Services of the name of the child and the child's location.
(b) Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a class A misdemeanor."
