What is an offense called that is only a crime due to the offender being under 18?

A status offense is specifically defined as an act that is considered a violation of the law only because of the age of the individual committing it, typically when the offender is under 18 years old. These offenses are not criminal in nature for adults and may include behaviors such as truancy, running away from home, or curfew violations. This classification highlights that the legal system treats these acts differently based on the age of the person involved, reinforcing the idea that minors may require specific approaches or interventions rather than punitive measures commonly applied to adult offenders.

The other terms do not accurately represent this concept. A juvenile offense generally refers to any criminal act committed by someone under 18, without emphasizing the specific aspect of age-related legality. A minor infraction typically refers to minor violations that may not carry severe penalties but are not limited to age. Petty crimes are minor criminal acts that can apply to individuals of all ages and do not hinge on the offender being a minor. Thus, the designation of a status offense precisely captures the unique legal classification tied to the offender's age.