NCJ Number
107231
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (1987) Pages: 13-20
Date Published
1987
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The influence of legal and nonlegal variables on intake dispositions was examined in data for 436 delinquency and status offense cases referred to the Clark County Juvenile Court (Las Vegas, Nevada) in 1984.
Abstract
Results indicate that legal variables were more strongly related to intake disposition (referral to the district attorney) than were nonlegal ones. Present offense was the strongest predictor, followed by number of charges. Detention status, prior referrals, and prior petitions also were strongly associated with intake disposition. In addition, detention status was strongly associated with offense, number of charges, and prior referrals and petitions. While legal variables showed stronger relationships, the nonlegal variables of school status, school grades, and attitude were also quite significant. These variables all were interrelated and also showed relationships with legal variables. Sex, race, social class were, at best, only moderately associated with disposition. 3 tables, 2 notes, and 11 references.