Legal Definitions - delinquent

In legal contexts, the term delinquent can refer to several distinct situations, primarily involving a failure to meet an obligation or engaging in unlawful behavior. Understanding its specific meaning often depends on the surrounding circumstances.

• When referring to a person or entity, it means failing to perform an obligation.

  This usage describes an individual or organization that has not fulfilled a duty or responsibility by the required time.

  • Example 1: A homeowner who has not paid their annual property taxes by the municipal deadline is considered delinquent on their tax payments.

    Explanation: Here, the homeowner has failed to perform their legal obligation to pay taxes by the due date.

  • Example 2: A software company that fails to deliver a promised product update to its customers by the date specified in their service agreement could be deemed delinquent in its contractual obligations.

    Explanation: The company has not met its commitment to provide the update as agreed, thus failing to perform an obligation.

• When referring to a person, it means being guilty of serious antisocial or criminal conduct.

  This often applies to minors, where the term "juvenile delinquent" is used to describe a young person who has committed an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult.

  • Example 1: A teenager repeatedly caught engaging in acts of vandalism, such as spray-painting public property, might be labeled a juvenile delinquent by the court system.

    Explanation: The teenager's actions constitute criminal conduct, leading to this classification within the juvenile justice system.

  • Example 2: An individual with a history of minor offenses, such as public disturbance or petty theft, might be described as having a delinquent pattern of behavior.

    Explanation: This refers to their repeated engagement in antisocial or unlawful activities.

• When referring to an obligation, it means that the obligation is past due or unperformed.

  This usage describes a duty or payment that has not been completed or made by its deadline.

  • Example 1: A credit card bill that has not been paid by its due date becomes a delinquent account.

    Explanation: The payment obligation is past due and remains unperformed.

  • Example 2: If a library book is not returned by its specified return date, it is considered a delinquent item.

    Explanation: The obligation to return the book by the deadline has not been met, making the item overdue.