Youth offenders are defined as?

• A. Adult offenders under 25.
• B. Young people who break the law.
• C. Young people who have never been charged.
• D. Individuals under 18 who commit offenses.

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is who counts as a youth offender: someone who is a youth and who commits a crime. The best answer captures both parts—the youth status and the illegal act—in a straightforward, general way. A young person who breaks the law fits that description across many youth justice contexts, making it the most inclusive and relevant definition for this question.

The other options are narrower or incorrect in this broad sense. An adult offender under 25 includes adults, which isn’t a youth. A young person who has never been charged isn’t an offender at all. Individuals under 18 who commit offenses is close, but it’s a jurisdiction-specific age boundary; the broader statement “young people who break the law” aligns with the common, general understanding used in many exams and discussions of youth offenders. For a study context, this broad definition helps you apply the concept across different rules and systems.