The article considers the category of delinquency as a unified concept of a criminal offense, delict, misconduct. The definition of this category is proposed according to the theoretical approaches in the social and legal sciences, as well as the practice of applied legal norms. The practical problems of crime are revealed through philosophical, sociological, psychological and individual provisions in the social sciences. This research indicates the sources and methods of combating crime on the basis of legal sciences. The prospects of the possible eradication of crime and its constituent elements are considered in the article. A theoretical attempt to define the term of delinquency based on philosophy, sociology, psychology is made. Theoretical proposals that the study of a crime must not begin with the identity of the offender, but with the possible causes and conditions for its perpetration are proposed to be put into practice.