NCJ Number
80825
Date Published
1982
Length
253 pages
Annotation
State profiles on youth in adult courts in the north central region describe how youth are referred to adult courts and what can happen to them after conviction and present data on the frequency of referral of youths to adult courts through various mechanisms permitted by State law.
Abstract
Profiles on youth in adult courts are presented for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. In this study, juveniles were defined as persons under 18 years-old. That section of the profile which describes how youth are referred to adult courts and what can happen to them after conviction considers (1) the court organization, (2) the pertinent statutory provisions in the State code, (3) the relevant cases tried in the State supreme court and the Federal courts since 1950, and (4) the correctional placement options for juveniles convicted in adult courts. This information was generally obtained through a search of the statutes and case law, along with telephone interviews with court and correctional officials. County data are presented on the frequency of referral of youth to adult courts for each of the mechanisms permitted by State law, which can include judicial waiver, concurrent jurisdiction, excluded offenses, and maximum age of initial jurisdiction below age 18. Demographic and offense characteristics and the judgments and sentences received by these youth are described for the most populous counties and counties referring five or more juveniles to adult courts in 1978. (Author summary modified)