NCJ Number
148466
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1994) Pages: 149-165
Date Published
1994
Length
17 pages
Annotation
To study the impact of race on juvenile justice decisions, this study used multiple decision points, several jurisdictions, and variables that measure actual offense behavior as well as the social situation of the offender. Data were collected on 691 juvenile felony cases from five counties across one State.
Abstract
The analysis showed that black and Latino youths were consistently more likely than white youthful offenders to be placed in secure detention by both the police and the courts. The seriousness of these felony cases was measured by offense behavior, including victim injury and weapon possession. When additional offense characteristics -- have a co-offender, multiple charges, and drug offenses -- were factored into the analysis, race remained principally important in the detention decision. This study suggested that some social factors, i.e., low socioeconomic status and family problems, could be important in the detention decision, but are not as significant as race. 5 notes and 16 references