NCJ Number
119901
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 40 Issue: 3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 29-36
Date Published
1989
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reports the responses of 273 adjudicated delinquents to a follow-up questionnaire 10 to 25 years after their initial adjudication as delinquent children.
Abstract
The age of the delinquents at the time of their first contact with the juvenile justice system ranged from 6 to 17 years. Of the 273 delinquents, 217 were boys and 56 were girls. Non-minority youngsters numbered 199, while minorities numbered 74. Those who went from juvenile delinquency to a life of adult crime are contrasted with those who did not. Those most likely to continue in a life of crime were those who said they committed delinquent or criminal acts as juveniles to get drugs or alcohol. Early delinquency also correlates with adult criminality. The study concludes that juvenile courts and the juvenile justice system should pay particular attention to the youngest offenders. 6 references.