When Emerson was younger, they smoked marijuana and consumed alcohol with their friends. They also shoplifted a few times and drove a car without a license. Today, Emerson has a successful career and has never been arrested as an adult. With regard to their status of criminal activity, Emerson is BEST described as a(n): A. life-course-persistent offender.
B. criminal mastermind.
C. adolescence-limited offender.
D. accidental offender.
The correct answer is C. adolescence-limited offender.
Explanation: Adolescence-limited offenders typically engage in delinquent behavior during their teenage years, often as a part of normal adolescent development and peer influence. In Emerson’s case, their past behaviors, such as smoking marijuana, consuming alcohol, shoplifting, and driving without a license, occurred during youth, and they have since moved on to a successful adult life without further criminal activity. This aligns with the characteristics of adolescence-limited offenders who tend to outgrow these behaviors.