Contributory Delinquency and neglect of children

Vegas Defense Lawyer Explains Contributory Delinquency

The laws in the state of Nevada provide many protections for children and there are many rules and regulations regarding how children must be cared for and provided for. Many of the laws aimed at protecting children are found in Chapter 201 of Title 15. Chapter 201 is the part of Nevada’s penal code that defines crimes against public decency and good morals. Failing to provide support or care for children can be considered a crime against decency and public morals, so the law punishes those who are lax in fulfilling various obligations that they have towards children.

Within Chapter 201, different types of crimes against decency and morality are organized into different subcategories. There is one such subcategory that relates to neglected children and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

If you are accused of a criminal offense in connection with the neglect of children or if you are charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child, you should reach out to LV Criminal Defense for help. Our legal team has provided representation to many defendants accused of crimes against publicly decency and good morals and we can put our extensive knowledge of Chapter 201 of Nevada’s code to work for you. Give us a call today to find out more.

Nevada Laws on Child Neglect and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child

Nevada Revised Statute section 201.090 defines the terms neglected child, delinquent child, and child in need of supervision for purposes of determining if a child has been neglected and for purposes of determining if a defendant contributed to the neglect of a child.

According to the relevant law, a neglected child, delinquent child, or child in need of supervision could include any child under the age of 18 who:

• Is found begging in the street, receiving alms, or begging under the pretext of selling items or providing public entertainment such as singing.
• Is found to be providing assistance to any person begging in the street or receiving alms, including under the pretext of providing public entertainment or selling items.
• Has no parent or guardian, or no parent or guardian willing to exercise parental control that the child is in need of.
• Is destitute or not provided with basic life necessities by a parent or guardian and who has no other means to obtain life necessities.
• Is living in a home that has been made unfit as a result of cruelty, depravity, or neglect caused by any parent, guardian, or other person who is caring for the child.
• Is found living with a disreputable person or living in a house of ill fame.
• Is found wandering without a name, settled place to live, visible means of subsistence, or proper guardianship.
• Frequents the company of prostitutes, vagrants, or other persons of ill-repute.
• Is in a home of prostitution or assignation.
• Unlawfully visits a salon where liquor is served or provided.
• Habitually uses drugs or alcohol without the direction of a competent doctor.
• Persistently and habitually refuses to obey reasonable and proper orders of parents, guardians, or custodians.
• Is beyond the control of parents, guardians, or custodians.
• Is habitually absent from school without justification.
• Is leading an idle, lewd, dissolute, or immoral life.
• Writes or uses vile, profane, indecent, or obscene language.
• Engages in indecent, immoral, or lascivious conduct.
• Violates any state or local criminal laws.

Nevada Revised Statute section 201.110 makes clear that if any person’s acts or omissions cause a person under 18 to become a delinquent child, child in need of supervision, or neglected child, that person could be found guilty of contributory neglect or contributory delinquency. This is a misdemeanor criminal offense in Nevada.

Under N.R.S. 201.110, a defendant could also be found guilty of contributory delinquency for acts, omissions, threats, commands, or persuasions that cause a minor to perform acts or engage in a course of conduct that would result in the minor becoming or remaining a neglected child, a child in need of supervision, or a delinquent child.

This means that if a parent fails to properly supervise a child and the child engages in behaviors such as begging in the streets, using drugs, or failing to attend school, then the parent who failed in his obligations to supervise the child could potentially be found guilty of the offense of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Likewise, someone who encouraged a minor to use alcohol or drugs could also be found guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

However, N.R.S. 201.090 makes clear that there are some limited exceptions. For example, if a child is a runaway or if a child is unmanageable by a parent or guardian, the child would not be considered a delinquent child and, depending upon the circumstances, parents or guardians in this particular situation would typically not be considered to have contributed the misdemeanor offense of contributory delinquency or neglect of children.