NCJ Number
85113
Date Published
1982
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This document analyzes data from the California Bureau of Criminal Statistics to determine the extent to which violent crimes have increased in California, and whether the incidence of violent crime is higher among youthful offenders.
Abstract
As measured by reports of crime recorded by law enforcement agencies, the violent crime rate increased 37.6 percent from 1975 to 1980. In comparison, the reported property crime rate increased 20.7 percent. Improvements in reporting property crime rate increased 20.7 percent. Improvements in reporting and recordkeeping procedures may account for some of the increase. Total arrests for violent crimes increased 18.8 percent during the same period. Arrests of juveniles decreased 4.3 percent, but arrests of juveniles for violent crimes increased 14.3 percent. The increase in violent crime has resulted in an increase in serious dispositions being meted out within the justice system. Greater numbers of violent offenders were sentenced to the California Youth Authority than in the past. Nevertheless, the largest numerical increase in violent crime arrests was found to be among 25 to 39-year-old persons. Two figures and 16 tables are included.