NCJ Number
165639
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Recognizing the need for a comprehensive analysis of juvenile cases and a profile of individual offenders, Connecticut's Judicial Branch conducted the Juvenile Offender Profile Study.
Abstract
Data on two juvenile populations were analyzed: (1) delinquent referrals processed in juvenile courts across Connecticut in 1994; and (2) juveniles adjudicated in 1994 who were committed to the Department of Children and Families, juveniles adjudicated in 1994 whose cases were handled judicially, and juveniles adjudicated in 1994 whose cases were handled non-judicially. Of 8,946 juveniles referred to the Superior Court for delinquent behavior in 1994, 55 percent had their most serious cases handled nonjudicially by a juvenile probation officer and the remaining 45 percent had their most serious cases handled judicially. The number of juveniles referred to court for illegal behavior increased substantially between 1991 and 1994, and the increased caseload was primarily handled outside of the court system. About 4 percent of juveniles referred for delinquent behavior were 10 years of age or younger, 10 percent were 11 or 12 years of age, 74 percent were male, and 26 percent were female. About 26 percent were referred with felony charges, 68 percent were referred for misdemeanors, and 16 percent were detained for some period between the time of arrest and case disposition. Juvenile courts differed significantly in their juvenile profiles and case dispositions. Juvenile and case characteristics also varied widely among courts. An appendix contains data on the most serious juvenile delinquency dispositions in 1994, Connecticut's juvenile justice system, and juveniles who received alternative sanctions. 9 footnotes, 1 table, and 2 figures