NCJ Number
155812
Date Published
1995
Length
66 pages
Annotation
This report presents information on juvenile crime trends and the juvenile justice system in California.
Abstract
In profiling juvenile crime in California, the booklet outlines the types of offenses, crime categories, and legal categories of juvenile offenders. The definition of a juvenile is also noted (any person under 18 years old). A review of juvenile crime in California finds that in 1993 juveniles accounted for 16 percent of all felony arrests in the State. An examination of trends in juvenile crime in the State shows that juvenile arrest rates peaked in 1974, decreased through 1987, and have increased since then; juvenile arrest rates for violent crime have exceeded those for adults since 1980, except for 1986-88. Juvenile arrest rates for homicides were below those for adults until 1989. Juvenile crime in California is also compared with juvenile crime in other States and among California jurisdictions. Risk factors identified with juvenile crime are failure in school, family problems, substance abuse, pattern behaviors and conduct problems, and gang membership and gun possession. Other topics discussed are victim characteristics, the operation of the juvenile justice system, the cost of juvenile crime, and policy implications.