NCJ Number
191073
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 35 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2001 Pages: 40-42,48
Date Published
September 2001
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the serious and violent juvenile offender and predictors of possible future serious and violent juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Serious and violent juvenile offenders (SVJO's) are different from other delinquent juveniles in a variety of ways. They offend earlier; continue offending for a longer time; display behavior problems at an earlier age; and engage in higher rates of gun ownership, gang membership, sexual activity, teenage parenthood, and early separation or independence from family. A disproportionately large number of SVJO's (and their victims) are African-American. Most SVJO's have multiple problems: drug and alcohol abuse and dependency, emotional and mental health problems, truancy, and problematic educational histories. Many have themselves been victims of violence. Possible predictors of SVJO's include: (1) hyperactivity, attention-deficit, restlessness, risk-taking; (2) aggressiveness and early violent behavior; (3) antisocial behavior and beliefs; (4) family dysfunction and criminality; (5) school and academic factors; (6) peer influence; (7) neighborhood and community influences; and (8) childbirth and metabolic indicators. The article discusses the costs--tangible and otherwise--of juvenile crime to the victims, to the criminal justice system, and to society. Notes