NCJ Number
203730
Date Published
2003
Length
82 pages
Annotation
This paper presents information and data on California's juvenile case processing, arrests, referrals, petitions, and groups for 2002.
Abstract
California's juvenile justice system deals primarily with persons under 18-years-old who have either violated criminal statutes or have committed "status offenses," which are offenses only when committed by a juvenile. A chart depicts the path of a juvenile through the juvenile justice system in California from arrest to final disposition. The data presented were submitted by 47 of California's 58 county probation departments. These countries represent approximately 84 percent of the State's population, and the data constitute a representative sample of the juvenile justice process in the State. Data on arrests, referrals, and petitions are presented by gender, age, offense, and disposition. Group representation (race/ethnicity) is noted by arrest, offense, referral to probation, detention, petitions filed, type of defense representation, juvenile court disposition, and wardship placement. The data show that in 2002 misdemeanor arrests of juveniles exceeded felony arrests by more than two to one (57.3 percent compared with 26.3 percent); and status-offense arrests were exceeded by misdemeanor arrests by more than three to one. Running away was the only offense not dominated by males. Juveniles aged 15-17 constituted more than two-thirds of the total juvenile arrests. Over 20 percent of the juveniles arrested were counseled and released by the police, and 76.7 percent were referred to county probation departments for further action. In 2002 one-fourth of the new referrals to probation were female offenders. More than one-fourth of the assault and burglary referrals to probation were for offenders aged 12-14. Over 53 percent of petitions filed for formal juvenile court action were for first-time offenders. Hispanic and White juveniles combined accounted for more than three-fourths of all reported juvenile arrests. When compared to their statewide race/ethnic group population, whether being "detained" or "not detained," Hispanic and Black juveniles were overrepresented in the juvenile justice system.