NCJ Number
101425
Journal
Youth and Society Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1986) Pages: 286-305
Date Published
1986
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This Florida study examined the bases for juvenile detention decisions and the effects of detention status on subsequent court decisions.
Abstract
Florida juvenile intake records were examined for all delinquency and dependency cases referred to intake between July 1, 1977, and September 30, 1979 (31,726). The study sample was reduced to delinquency cases that involved detention at intake and for which complete detention information was available (9,317). Data were obtained on age, race, gender, residence location, offense seriousness, number of offenses charged, and referral status. The impact of these variables on the detention decision was determined using a logistic regression technique. The impact of detention status on subsequent case processing decisions was determined by controlling for the aforementioned variables and using detention status as the primary predictor variable in relation to various case processing decisions. Those most likely to be detained were older, black, female felons with a prior referral record and charged with multiple offenses. Detained juveniles apparently received harsher intake recommendations, more severe actions by the State's attorney, and more formal and more severe dispositions. Tabular data, 5 notes, and 40 references.