Last Updated on July 2, 2025
Contributing to the delinquency of a minor is a rather broad charge that can cover all sorts of activities that involve aiding or abetting someone under 18 to commit a crime. While the most common actions that result in this charge are giving cigarettes or alcohol to a minor, these are by no means the only things that can lead to such a charge. If you have been accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Vista or the rest of San Diego County, please call a criminal defense attorney immediately.
What is Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor?
Under California Penal Code section 272 (PC), contributing to the delinquency of a minor occurs when someone causes or enables a minor under 18 to perform illegal or delinquent activities, become a habitual truant, or otherwise become a “ward or dependant of the juvenile court system.”
Some examples aside from furnishing alcohol or tobacco products to a minor include:
- convincing a juvenile to ditch school regularly
- urging a teen to shoplift
- encouraging a minor to have sex
- push a child to get in a fistfight
- giving a child illegal fireworks
Some people think having a juvenile commit the crime creates a shield for the adult, but prosecutors often offer the juvenile a deal if they testify against the adult instigator.
You can also be charged with this crime for “luring or transporting” a minor under 14 away from their parents. In other words, you can face charges for encouraging or helping someone under 14 to run away from their family. This charge can only be applied to individuals over 21 who do not have well-established relationships with the child.
What are the Penalties?
Those convicted for contributing to the delinquency of a minor face misdemeanor charges punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine of $2,500. Alternatively, a judge may sentence the offender to criminal probation, allowing them to avoid jail time.
Fighting Charges Under 272 (PC)
Fortunately, because this crime is so vague, it can sometimes be difficult to prosecute, especially when the state is up against an expert criminal defense attorney. One of the most robust defenses against this crime is that the defendant didn’t know the individual was a child. Criminal intent matters with this charge as it is only illegal to convince a minor to become a juvenile delinquent under this law.
When a legal guardian is convicted of this crime, sometimes the best defense is to argue that they have no control over their dependent child. If, despite your best efforts, you were unable to deter your child from demonstrating criminal behavior, you are not guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Alternatively, you can sometimes argue that you have been falsely accused. If the minor alleged you were responsible for their behavior, your criminal attorney could argue that they accused you only as revenge or in an attempt to shirk responsibility for their own actions.
Charges related to the lure or transport of a child under 14 by a stranger over 21 can often be fought by showing that you actually did have an established relationship with the minor. You may have a solid defense if you are able to show that the minor’s legal guardians demonstrated criminal negligence or abuse regularly, and you were attempting to help the juvenile escape from a bad situation.
If you have been accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor or believe something you have done may result in your being charged with this crime, please call Peter M. Liss at (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free initial consultation.
