[Garnet FalconDance]

Delinquent means to neglect or violate duty or law. So can a less-than-legal-majority aged person be delinquent? YES. What should we do about iT?

First, most of the time (IMO) by the time the law enforcement gets involved, it's too late. The basic behaviours and beliefs backing them have been formed, have proven valuable in some way and are set.

It starts in the home. If a child does not have a solid teaching *and* example of right vs. wrong, then he/she learns how best to survive whether it be within the law or not. Granted, there are kids who still turn 'wrong' even if their home environment seems perfect. But in these cases, typically things aren't as 'perfect' as is first seen--there is a lack of something vital to their development as a moral and honest individual.

A 12 year old has a grasp of right and wrong, so the argument that they are too young to understand is about so much bull. Now they may not fully comprehend the widespread effects of their actions and consequences, but make no mistake that when they break a window, assualt someone or commit another crime, they are in complete control of their faculties.