PUBLICATION ADVISORY

OJJDP/NIJ Study Highlights Patterns of Juvenile Court Referrals for Youth Born in 2000

      WASHINGTON – The Office of Justice Programs’ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention published a bulletin today that highlights patterns of juvenile court referrals of more than 160,000 youth born in 2000. It also describes the demographic and case processing characteristics of youth referred to juvenile court.

      About one in eight youth born in 2000 in the jurisdictions included in the study was referred to juvenile court at least once prior to aging out of juvenile court jurisdiction in their state. Most youth (63 percent) did not return to juvenile court after their first referral. Those who received a formal sanction at their first referral were more likely to be referred for a subsequent offense, especially if the youth was ordered to residential placement.

      Analysis of referral patterns can help identify young people who are most at risk for returning to juvenile court. Improving the field’s ability to distinguish between youth who desist from further court involvement and those who are most likely to return to juvenile court will allow for better matching of services to those who need them.

      This bulletin was produced under the National Juvenile Court Data Archive project, with funds provided by OJJDP and managed by OJP’s National Institute of Justice.

      TITLE:  Patterns of Juvenile Court Referrals of Youth Born in 2000

      AUTHORS:  Charles Puzzanchera and Sarah Hockenberry
                            National Center for Juvenile Justice

      HERE:  https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/publications/patterns-of-juvenile-court-referrals.pdf

      The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law.  More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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OFFICE:  ojjdp.ojp.gov
CONTACT:  Kara McCarthy at 202-307-1241 or Kara.McCarthy@ojp.usdoj.gov