NCJ Number
87978
Date Published
Unknown
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This summary of the major findings and recommendations from a study of serious juvenile crime focuses on offender and offense characteristics, substance abuse, legislation, jurisdiction, confidentiality of juvenile records, programs, and economic impact.
Abstract
Overall, arrest rates for 1964-77 indicate that juveniles are continuing to be involved in property crimes but leveling off in their involvement in the violent crimes of murder and rape. The ratio of juveniles to other age groups involved in robbery and aggravated assault has steadily increased from 1964 to the present. The serious juvenile offender tends to be a male black 15-17 years-old. The crimes of the substance abuser are nearly always related to the need for money with which to purchase drugs. The crimes of the alcoholic, however, are largely unpremeditated and episodic, resulting in violence. Statutory analysis identified six States (California, Florida, New York, Colorado, Delaware, and Washington) as having punitive provisions for dealing with the serious juvenile offender. A review of statutes specifying jurisdiction of the juvenile court and the criminal court over youths under 18 showed considerable variation, and regarding the confidentiality of juvenile records, the public and press are generally excluded from juvenile court hearings, the inspection of juvenile records, and knowledge of an alleged juvenile offender's identity. Exemplary programs for serious juvenile offenders tend to be centered in remedial education, vocational training and placement, and recreation, with accessory individual and group counseling. The total aggregate primary direct costs to victims of serious juvenile crime are estimated at $10 billion for 1975. Recommendations are offered for policy and research.