NCJ Number
243929
Date Published
September 2009
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This research brief explores the role that weapons play in juvenile offender cases processed through adult courts in New York City.
Abstract
This research brief, adapted from the report "Juvenile Offenders with Weapon Charges," explores the role that weapons play in juvenile offender (JO) cases processed through adult courts in New York City. The study found that in more than half of the cases, 55 percent, the juveniles were charged with a weapon-related offense. Of those charged with a weapon-related offense, 36 percent were charged with a non-gun weapon offense, 13 percent were charged with gun possession, and 6 percent were charged with gun use. In addition, the study found that 13 percent of the juveniles had a weapon charge prior to arrest, with 4 percent having prior gun use and possession charge and 9 percent having a prior non-gun weapon charge. Additional findings from the study include the following: males were more likely to be charged with a gun offense (21 percent) compared to females (6 percent); juveniles who were 15 years old at arrest were more likely to face gun charges compared to younger juveniles; and juveniles charged with murder or attempted murder were more likely to have a weapon charge (84 percent) and for that weapon charge to be gun related (58 percent). This study used data obtained from all JO cases processed in the supreme courts in New York City between 1997 and 2000 and that had subsequent rearrests for new offenses that occurred between the date of initial arrest and January 31, 2005. The primary goal of the study was to explore the following questions: what types of JO cases are associated with weapon offenses; how do JO cases with different weapon offenses compare; how do different weapon charges affect the processing of JO cases; and do re-arrest rates vary by the type of weapon charge associated with a JO case. Figures