This paper presents the issue of youth delinquency, which often results in criminal acts, and ultimately in the imposition of sanctions by the court. Using relevant literature, older and more recent, the author of the paper describes which characteristics are essential in the development of delinquent behavior, which concepts can prevent the implementation of such behaviors. Both environmental and social factors, upbringing and childhood, as well as personality traits are shown to be important as essential characteristics of a minor's behavior. At risk are young people who grow up in families of lower socioeconomic status, those who grow up with one or no parents, with which a number of negative consequences are associated that cause the appearance of delinquent behavior. Concepts such as protective factors, positive development and resilience make up a child's strengths for resisting risky behavior. When it comes to sanctions, researching the literature shows that the most common imposed educational measure is the measure of increased care and supervision of minors, while measures such as referral to a disciplinary center and referral to an educational institution are the least common. The reason for this is that neither the state attorney's office proposes, nor the court imposes, the spatial conditions where these sanctions are served at a very low level, because the situation is known to the public. Juvenile prison is the most severe and ultimate sanction for a minor, and it can only be imposed on an older minor, as well as a younger adult.