status offense
Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law
Definitions from Case Law
From 370 U.S. 660 - Robinson v. State of California · 1962Most cited · 3,839 citing opinions
we deal with a statute which makes the 'status' of narcotic addiction a criminal offense, for which the offender may be prosecuted 'at any time before he reforms.' California has said that a person can be continuously guilty of this offense, whether or not he has ever used or possessed any narcotics within the State, and whether or not he has been guilty of any antisocial behavior there.