NCJ Number
77774
Date Published
1979
Length
43 pages
Annotation
Based on national and State crime records, this report presents statistical data for 1977 on juvenile arrest rates, characteristics of juvenile offenders, and juvenile court dispositions by age, sex, and race and discusses national trends for the 1968-77 period.
Abstract
This survey was undertaken to provide information for a review being conducted by the Vice President's Task Force on Youth Employment for the Department of Justice. Most of the reported arrest data were developed from the Uniform Crime Reports, while intake and juvenile court statistics were compiled from preliminary information gathered by the National Center for Juvenile Justice for its 1976 court report. A discussion of the methodology covers sources, definitions, and statistical adjustments employed. Although the original request was limited to juveniles between 14 and 17 years old, the age groups used in the report vary somewhat because of differences in reporting formats. Percentages of the total youth population arrested annually are presented first and then categorized by type of crime, age, sex, and race. Changes over the 1968-77 period are analyzed. For example, total juvenile crime for youths aged 13 to 17 increased 14 percent during the decade, and female arrest rates for all crime showed a significantly greater increase than male arrest rates. Statistics on personal and family characteristics of arrested juveniles concern educational status, family background, employment, and family income level. Many juveniles came from broken homes, and almost half came from families with incomes of less than $4,999 a year. The report then describes the numbers of juveniles processed through intake and juvenile courts along with percentage breakdowns by age, sex, race, and geographic area. Data are also provided on these juveniles' prior delinquencies, types of offenses committed, and dispositions. The appendixes contain supporting charts, statistical tables, and 9 references.