Abstract
The current chapter provides an overview of the present state of research on adult deviancy, with a specific focus on adult criminal offending. The chapter outlines the relationship between age and crime, providing an understanding of the age–crime curve. Additionally, it reviews two main theories that discuss this relationship, comparing and contrasting their central tenets. Based on these theoretical foundations, the current state of the literature regarding onset of criminal offending is presented, providing two differing sets of opinions: one, that adult-onset criminality does not exist, but instead that these individuals had been engaging in offending behavior throughout the life course; two, that adult-onset offending does indeed exist and can be explained. Lastly, the chapter discusses implications for research, policy, and practice.