JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND YOUTH CRIME IN CHARLOTTE - A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF PUBLISHED STATISTICS FOR 1970 AND 1971

• NCJ Number: 10523
• Author(s): S H CLARKE
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 16 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: University of North Carolina
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: MECKLENBURG CRIMINAL JUSTICE PILOT PROJECT

Annotation

REPORTED CRIME AND DELINQUENCY STATISTICS LEAD TO THE CONCLUSION THAT YOUTH BETWEEN THE AGES OF 11 AND 17 CONSTITUTE A SERIOUS THREAT IN TERMS OF MAJOR CRIMES.

Abstract

IN 1970 THAT AGE GROUP COMPRISED 15.4 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IN CHARLOTTE, AND COMMITTED AN ESTIMATED 27.3 PERCENT OF SERIOUS CRIME. COMPARED WITH OTHER AGE GROUPS, THE 18-24 GROUP WAS NEARLY TWICE AS DANGEROUS AS THE 11-17 GROUP. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE RESPONSE BY JUVENILE COURT AND CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES MAY SERVE TO INCREASE CRIMINAL AND DELINQUENCY BEHAVIOR RATHER THAN REDUCE IT. ALTHOUGH PROBATION AND OTHER NON-TRAINING SCHOOL DISPOSITIONS ACCOUNTED FOR 67.5 PERCENT OF JUVENILE PETITIONS IN 1970, THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT THAT 32.1 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL COMMITMENT TO TRAINING SCHOOLS FROM COURTS IN MECKLENBURG WERE FOR PROBATION VIOLATION, PRIMARILY DUE TO TRUANCY. IT IS STRESSED THAT CHILDREN MUST NOT ONLY BE DIVERTED FROM CORRECTIONAL INVOLVEMENT, BUT NEW PROGRAMS MUST BE PROVIDED TO MODIFY UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOR. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)