FACTORS AFFECTING CASE DISPOSITIONS OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS (FROM PROJECT SEARCH - INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CRIM JUST INFO AND STAT SYSTEMS, 2D - PROCEEDINGS, APRIL 30 MAY 2, 1974, BY E CRESSWELL - SEE NCJ-25660)

• NCJ Number: 25683
• Author(s): L E COHEN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): 73-SS-99-3312; 75-SS-99-6007
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: SEARCH Group Inc.
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS STUDY IS CONCERNED WITH THE FACTORS THAT ACCOUNT FOR THE NATURE AND SEVERITY OF TREATMENT METED OUT BY THE JUVENILE COURT (USING THE DENVER (CO) JUVENILE COURT AS AN EXAMPLE).

Abstract

THE VARIABLES EXAMINED WERE: AGE; SEX; RACE; SOCIAL CLASS; FAMILY STABILITY (BROKEN OR UNBROKEN HOME); PRESENT ACTIVITY (WORKING, SCHOOL OR IDLE); NUMBER OF PRIOR COURT REFERRALS; SEVERITY OF OFFENSE; AND, REFERRAL AGENCY (POLICE OR NON-POLICE). THE RESEARCHER FOUND THAT THE DECISION TO DETAIN A JUVENILE WAS MOST OFTEN UTILIZED IN CASES WHERE THE YOUTH HAD A NUMBER OF PRIOR COURT REFERRALS, WAS IDLE, OR CAME FROM A BROKEN HOME. THE DECISION TO FILE A PETITION AGAINST A JUVENILE WAS MOST STRONGLY RELATED TO THE SEVERITY OF THE OFFENSE CHARGED, FOLLOWED BY PRIOR COURT REFERRAL HISTORY, AND THE USE OF DETENTION.