NCJ Number
79637
Date Published
1981
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Data, conclusions, and recommendations are presented from a study of 230 juveniles transferred into the Dade County, Fla., adult system for prosecution or indicted in 1979.
Abstract
Data were obtained from a survey of court records and a followup analysis of juveniles placed on probation in the adult system. The majority of charges against the subjects were for property crimes (57.4 percent). The average length of time between arrest and disposition was 87.55 days. Forty percent of the juveniles were sentenced to the State correctional system, and of these 93 juveniles, 45 were placed in the youthful offender program. Juveniles receiving a split sentence of probation and under 1 year in a county facility or straight probation accounted for 34.7 percent of the total. Of those placed on probation or sentenced to terms of less than 6 months followed by probation, 49 percent were rearrested within 8 months. Seven youths were sentenced to terms in the youthful offender program which exceeded 4 years, the maximum allowable under State statutes. Juveniles placed on probation in the adult system had an average of nine felony charges under the juvenile justice system. Based on the findings, it is recommended that all judges receive information on the intent of the youthful offender program, so that appropriate persons may be sentenced to this program. Juveniles transferred for adult prosecution should receive probation only under exceptional circumstances and only when there is no extensive prior history. Correctional alternatives should permit the segregation of juvenile offenders within the adult system. Tabular and graphic data and six bibliographic listings are provided.