Definition As West points out delinquency is a sociolegal category.' The definition of a juvenile delinquent, in the UK at least, is a young person between the age of 10 (the age of 'criminal responsibility') and 17 years who has been prosecuted and found guilty ofan offence that would be classified as a 'crime' ifcommitted by an adult. These offences normally result in the opening of a crimina...