NCJ Number
171774
Journal
Valparaiso University Law Review Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1997) Pages: 419-426
Date Published
1997
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study provides basic data on patterns of juvenile violence in the United States since the mid-1970s; it then addresses the implications of the known facts about current serious violence by juveniles for appropriate policies toward youth violence in both juvenile and criminal courts.
Abstract
There is concern about rates of juvenile violence in the United States of the mid-1990s that resembles what sociologists call a moral panic. A recent study sponsored by the Federal Government reported that during 1992-95, 47 of the 50 States passed legislation designed to change juvenile or criminal court procedures regarding violent juvenile offenders. This study compared self-reported victimization rates for assault in the National Crime Survey with homicide rates reported by the Vital Statistics of the United States for 1991. The study also shows the number of homicide arrests for every 100 homicide and aggravated assault arrests for age groups from 11 to 20. Also examined were the number of gun, non-gun, and total homicides by juvenile offenders (aged 10-17) for 1976-1992. The study found that the increase in lethal violence among 14- to 17-year-old offenders was wholly attributable to increases in gun use. The study concludes that the relatively thin layer of gun assault should be clearly distinguished from most juvenile crime, indeed from most juvenile violence, which has not changed significantly over the last decade. To reframe the age boundaries, punishment powers, or rationale of juvenile justice because of 20,000 to 50,000 shootings per year is not warranted. 3 figures and 8 footnotes