What defines a status offender?

A status offender is defined as a juvenile who engages in behaviors that are considered violations of the law only because of their age. This means that if an adult were to engage in the same behavior, it would not be classified as a crime. These behaviors can include actions such as truancy (skipping school), curfew violations, and running away from home.

Choosing the option that describes a child accused of conduct not a crime if committed by an adult correctly reflects the essence of what a status offender is. This classification recognizes that the legal system treats juvenile offenses differently, focusing more on rehabilitation than punishment, as opposed to crimes that involve harm to others or societal misconduct that applies to people of all ages.

In contrast, the other options describe scenarios that typically involve criminal behavior applicable to both adults and juveniles, such as illegal drug use, crimes against persons, or felony charges, which do not capture the unique legal status of status offenders.