Status Offenses and the Juvenile Justice System - Progress and Problems

• NCJ Number: 78941
• Author(s): D J Berkman; C P Smith
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 27 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American Justice Institute
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This assessment of the state of knowledge on status offenders and the juvenile justice system covers statistical data on arrests and court referrals, dispositions, types of treatment programs, deinstitutionalization, and current legislative reforms of juvenile codes.

Abstract

Variations in the definitions used by States for status offenders and status offense behavior are first considered, and definitions developed by the Council of State Governments are recommended. Following a discussion of problems with available information on status offenders and their processing, statistics on arrests and referrals to court for 1975-77 are presented. Breakdowns by age, sex, and race show that females, whites, and younger persons were most frequently arrested for status offenses in 1977. Between 1975 and 1977, however, fewer juveniles were arrested for status offenses, while their arrest rate for less serious offenses increased. In this period, a trend for fewer police referrals of status offenders and more referrals by family, community agencies, and self was observed. According to data on status offenders placed in detention or in correctional facilities between 1974 and 1977, persons detained for status offenses decreased, but juveniles committed for these offenses increased. The review of juvenile court dispositions of status offender cases examines characteristics of juveniles committed to treatment programs, evaluation of community service programs, and research on the use of diversion. Status offender programs which have been partially evaluated and may be effective are listed. The impact of deinstitutionalization and community service programs on the juvenile justice system and youths labeled as status offenders is addressed, as are the costs of status offenses. State legislative reforms and judicial decisions which affect status offenders are summarized, followed by an outline of major conclusions and recommendations drawn from this assessment. Statistical tables and 15 references are appended.