Children of the Streets: Criminological Characteristics of Street Organized Crime of Minors

Purpose. The author has set a goal to examine the state of juvenile crime, especially its organized forms, the geographical distribution of street crime is minor, the distinctive personality traits of juvenile offenders. Methodology: the research is based on the General scientific dialectical method of cognition. In the course of the research, such methods as analysis and synthesis, statistical method, and observation method were used. Conclusions. Based on the conducted research, the author concludes that today we can talk about the real problem of criminalization of youth that requires attention, including its highest form-the Association of minors in youth criminal groups, which are the basis for future adult organized crime groups that are a destructive force for the country as a whole. Scientific and practical significance. The research conducted in the article gives an idea of the state of juvenile delinquency, reveals the criminological portrait of a juvenile delinquent, and based on the analysis of modern juvenile delinquency, substantiates its links with organized crime. The work, in our opinion, can be useful for a wide range of readers: students, postgraduates, teachers and researchers.