Juvenile Crime (sometimes called juvenile delinquency) refers to both violent and non-violent crimes committed by minors. A minor, in most of the U.S., is an individual under the age of eighteen, though it does vary in several states. Because the use of age as the sole determining factor has been called into question, judges do possess the authority to waive a young offender into adult court, if it is warranted by the circumstances. The Juvenile Crime system is a relatively new approach to youth crimes, and emphasizes treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment.