NCJ Number
100295
Date Published
1985
Length
204 pages
Annotation
A literature review, a State-by-State analysis of statutes, and interview and statistical research in nine cities were conducted to examine juvenile/young adult serious/dangerous offender case disposition in juvenile justice and adult courts.
Abstract
The literature review indicates a growing public fear of serious crime, ambivalence about the juvenile justice system and the processing of dangerous juveniles, high recidivism rates, and an increasing emphasis on incapacitation and deterrence. A review of statutes indicates that 3 States attach general criminal jurisdiction at age 16, 8 at age 17, 38 at age 18, and 1 at age 19. Further, 38 States impose no minimum age for juvenile court jurisdiction, while 13 impose no minimum age for criminal court jurisdiction. At present, 49 of 52 jurisdictions provide for judicial waiver. Major results of case studies of nine jurisdictions indicate that the spate of legislative change observed in 1978 has dissipated, and that juvenile courts in many States have lost jurisdiction over youth charged with serious crime. A comparison of case dispositions for juveniles processed by juvenile courts and juveniles and young adults processed by adult courts reveals that only a small percentage of all juvenile cases were likely to be handled by adult courts, and both courts were equally likely to find the juvenile guilty as charged. However, compared to juvenile courts, adult courts were over twice as likely to incarcerate juvenile offenders. Finally, recidivism rates were high among juveniles handled by both court systems. Policy implications and recommendations are provided. Chapter references and notes.