The theory that a delinquent or status offender should receive a punishment that matches the severity of the wrongdoing is called deterrence.

Question

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The theory that a punishment should match the severity of the wrongdoing is called "retributive justice," not deterrence. Deterrence focuses on preventing future offenses by discouraging the offender or others from committing similar acts.

The Theory That a Delinquent or Status Offender Should Receive