delinquent
n. countablen. a person, usually a young one, who repeatedly breaks the law or behaves in a way that society does not approve of.
n. an individual, typically a minor, who habitually commits minor crimes or fails to fulfill legal obligations.
The group of delinquents was caught spray-painting the school wall.
Social workers often intervene early to prevent a young delinquent from entering the adult prison system.
The study suggests that many juvenile delinquents come from environments where economic instability and a lack of educational resources are the primary drivers of antisocial behavior.
Borrowed from Middle French délinquant, ultimately from Latin delinquens, present participle of delinquo.
Often used in the compound phrase 'juvenile delinquent' to refer specifically to minors.