Juvenile Crime Law refers to under aged delinquents (age threshold vary in some states from 16 to 19) who are considered too young to be responsible for their criminal acts in the same manner as an adult should be. These age definitions are very important because they determine if the juvenile will have to be charged in adult court or will be required to appear in juvenile court. Juvenile courts recognize three categories of juvenile criminal:

- juvenile delinquents charged for criminal conducts similar to such that could be done by an adult.

- juvenile criminals who are being neglected or maltreated by their parents or caregivers or have been suffering physical or psychological harm and as a result have conducted some minor felonies.

- juvenile criminal who need assistance in order to be able to change their way of life.

Juvenile courts do not base their judgment on the punishment, which is the case with adult courts, but rather stress on rehabilitation possibilities, as well as providing help, observation and treatment of the sentenced.