NCJ Number
191639
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews prior research on the deterrence effects of transfer laws on juvenile crime.
Abstract
Prior research is conflicting on whether transfer laws deter juvenile crime. Two well-designed studies (1994 and 1996) found automatic transfer laws had no deterrent effect on juvenile crime in the short-term and a time-series analysis also found no deterrent effect. However, a large-scale, multi-state economic analysis conducted in 1998 suggested that transfer laws had a moderate deterrent effect. It was seen as difficult to reconcile those previous studies showing no deterrent effect of transfer laws with the 1998 comprehensive study showing that transfer laws deter crime. It was recommended that additional research be conducted to examine the long-term deterrent effects of transfer laws and whether these laws produce small, long-term changes in offending rates not detectable in prior research studies. If properly implemented transfer laws have short-term deterrent effects, policymakers need to balance the benefits against the long-term negative effects of adjudicating and sentencing juveniles as adults. References