NCJ Number
149133
Date Published
1992
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This report describes the West Virginia juvenile justice system, the children involved in the system, the offenses charged against the children, and the manner in which the cases were disposed during the reporting period of July 1991 through June 1992.
Abstract
A total of 5,704 youths were involved in the 8,960 cases. For males, the most common offenses were misdemeanor property or other offenses; for females, status offenses. The youths were most often ages 15-16, with females more often 14-16 and males more often 15-17. Sixty-nine percent of the juveniles involved in delinquency proceedings were male, and 82 percent were white. A total of 61.4 percent had no prior involvement in juvenile proceedings, 29.3 percent had some prior involvement but were not previously adjudicated delinquent, and 9.3 percent had previously been adjudicated delinquent. A total of 90.8 percent were living with parents or relatives, 6.4 percent were already in custody of a State department, and 2.8 percent were living in other settings. Forty-four percent of the delinquency cases were handled formally. In 1,930 cases, the juvenile was placed on informal or formal probation. Overall, fewer youths were involved in the juvenile delinquency system this year than last, but these youths committed more offenses. Offenses tended to be less serious offenses, resulting in a decrease in the use of detention and out-of-home placement. Figures, tables, and appended tables