Petition of Morin

The proceedings which culminated in the committal of the plaintiff’s minor child were instituted pursuant to the provisions of R. L., c. 132, relating to “Neglected and Delinquent Children.” The plaintiffs contend that this act and in particular the provisions of s. 2 (II), defining “delinquent child” are unconstitutional. As understood, the argument is directed to the proposition that the statute provides for imprisonment of a minor child without requiring that the child be either charged with or convicted of a crime. By the statutory definition a child “who is wayward, disobedient or…