by Attorney Eric D. PuryearThe crimes of Contributing to the Delinquency or Criminal Delinquency of a Minor Charges in Illinois are defined by 720 ILCS 5/12C-30 as follows. Depending upon the facts, these serious charges can result in a lengthy jail or prison term.
(a) Contributing to the delinquency of a minor. A person commits contributing to the delinquency of a minor when he or she knowingly: (1) causes, aids, or encourages a minor to be or to become a delinquent minor; or (2) does acts which directly tend to render any minor so delinquent.
(b) Contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor. A person of the age of 21 years and upwards commits contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor when he or she, with the intent to promote or facilitate the commission of an offense solicits, compels or directs a minor in the commission of the offense that is either: (i) a felony when the minor is under the age of 17 years; or (ii) a misdemeanor when the minor is under the age of 18 years.
(c) “Delinquent minor” means any minor who prior to his or her 17th birthday has violated or attempted to violate, regardless of where the act occurred, any federal or State law or county or municipal ordinance, and any minor who prior to his or her 18th birthday has violated or attempted to violate, regardless of where the act occurred, any federal or State law or county or municipal ordinance classified as a misdemeanor offense.
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Illinois in subsection (a) above is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in the county jail and a fine of $2,500.
Contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor in Illinois in subsection (b) above ranges from a misdemeanor up to a Class X felony, depending upon the factual circumstances of the criminal delinquency. Thus, a person so convicted can face a substantial term in jail or prison.
Illinois law also allows the husband or wife of a person accused of Contributing to the delinquency of a minor or Contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor to testify against them. This exception to the law preventing a spouse from testifying against another spouse is common in Illinois criminal law where the charges involve alleged harm to a child.
Those facing a charge of Contributing to the delinquency of a minor or Contributing to the criminal delinquency of a minor in Illinois is well advised to treat the matter seriously and consult with an attorney at once.