Serious Juvenile Offenders: Are They Starting Younger? (From Serious Habitual Offender/Drug Involved Program (SHO/DI), Volume 1: Informational Commentaries, Phase I, 1986, P 5.1-5.9, Robert O Heck et al -- See NCJ-108314)

• NCJ Number: 108319
• Author(s): R O Heck; W Pindur; D K Wells
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-108314.

Annotation

While it is well documented that the majority of violent crimes are committed by older juveniles, violent acts usually are not the first crimes committed.

Abstract

Several studies have found that the age of onset of delinquent activity is strongly related to the level of subsequent delinquency. While status offenders and other nonserious, nonhabitual delinquents do not appear to show an increase in offending or in relative seriousness of offenses, there is some evidence to suggest that there is a progression in seriousness for serious, habitual delinquents. In addition, a small proportion of recidivists accounts for a large proportion of serious and violent offenses. Several studies have found that serious habitual delinquents commit more serious crimes prior to age 13 and have more intensive delinquent careers. In general, the incidence of violent juvenile crime tends to increase with age, peaking at about 18 years. While more data are needed on the relationship between age and criminal activity, it is clear that juveniles who initiate criminal activity at an early age have a greater opportunity to become serious, habitual offenders. 25 endnotes.