If a minor commits a crime and it’s determined that a person who is at least 18 years of age assisted them in committing it, the adult can also be charged. Such an offense is called “contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”
Here is what to know about it:
You don’t need to be actively involved in the crime
Encouraging a minor to steal, vandalize or skip school or providing them with a fake ID can get you into trouble. However, you may not need to directly help them to be charged. For example, a parent who fails to supervise their child, creating an environment that enables the child to skip school as they wish or purchase a fake ID, can also face this charge.
It can become a felony
While generally charged as a Class A misdemeanor, this offense can become a felony in certain situations. Firstly, if the delinquent act committed by the minor would be a felony if committed by an adult, the case can be charged at the same level of felony as the delinquent act would be if committed by an adult.
Moreover, if an adult who is at least 21 years old intentionally furnishes an alcoholic beverage to a minor when they know or should have reasonably known the person is a minor, the case becomes a Level 5 felony. This also applies if an adult furnishes a minor a controlled substance in violation of Indian law.
The offense is considered a level 6 felony when the adult involved is 21 years old and the minor is 16 years old. These are just a few examples.
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a serious offense. Learn more about the circumstances surrounding your case and the juvenile charge to know how to defend yourself.