NCJ Number
100102
Date Published
1983
Length
316 pages
Annotation
This study examined juvenile justice intake in California with respect to potential differential treatment of minority youth and factors affecting intake disposition recommendations.
Abstract
In addition to examining intake and correctional statistics for 65,785 male offenders with no prior arrest record, data were gathered via observation, group discussions with intake officers, and an intake-factors questionnaire. Overall, findings show considerable inconsistency in the factors influencing intake decisionmaking. While intake officers contended that offense severity, prior record, demeanor, and age of the juvenile strongly affect intake recommendations and decisions, the extralegal factor of race/ethnicity also appeared to influence intake decisions. Although geographic differences were found, when all areas and offenses were combined, significant differences were found in the treatment of minority youth. Hispanic youth were more likely to have their cases closed at intake than were white youth, but differences between white and black youth were not significant. Minority youth also were significantly more likely to be petitioned to appear in juvenile court and to have their detention petitions sustained and were less likely to receive informal probation than were white youth. In addition, differences in the treatment of black and Hispanic relative to that of white youth were found as a function of offense type. Results suggest that discretionary powers in the juvenile justice system lead to abusive treatment of some groups. Tabular data, supplemental research materials, and 21 references.