NCJ Number
153795
Date Published
1994
Length
188 pages
Annotation
This study examines characteristics of the 330 serious juvenile offenders who faced the possibility of referral to adult court in Hennepin County, Minnesota, between 1986 and 1992.
Abstract
Variables relating to individual characteristics of motioned juveniles included age, education and truancy, racial background, status offenses and previous arrests, probation and parole, other demographic factors, prior adjudication history, and prior delinquency out-of-home placements. The report studied factors related to the offenders' home and life situation, including parent characteristics, family chemical dependency problems, family mental health, and victimization of the motioned juveniles. The analysis focused on the instant offenses, in terms of types of charges resulting in a referenced motion, changes in instant offense charges over time, and type of charges by individual characteristics of the offenders. The report covered various aspects of the reference decision, the court process, and correctional service involvement. Multivariate regression analysis was used to answer research questions pertaining to adjudication or conviction, disposition or sentence, and recidivism. 43 tables, 36 graphs, and 4 appendixes