Which statement about PINS is accurate?

• A. A person under 18 required to attend school; habitual truancy or ungovernable; cannot be detained in a detention facility
• B. The parent is required to pay fines
• C. PINS refers to adult offenses
• D. PINS are only for drug offenses

Answer: (A)

PINS stands for Persons In Need of Supervision. In New York, this concept covers youths under 18 who are not meeting age-appropriate responsibilities—such as attending school—or who are habitually truant or ungovernable. The court’s aim is to provide supervision and services to help the youth meet those responsibilities, rather than to punish. It isn’t about adult offenses, and it’s not limited to drug offenses. Detention in a juvenile detention facility is not the typical outcome in PINS cases; the focus is on supervision, services, and placement to address underlying issues. This combination of under-18 scope, school-attendance focus, and the emphasis on supervision over detention is why that statement is the best fit.