NCJ Number
152028
Date Published
1983
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This report presents data and information on the number and characteristics of juveniles judicially waived to criminal court in 1981.
Abstract
In 1981, 229 juveniles were bound over to criminal courts for trial; this is the smallest number of transfers in 4 years. Seventy-two percent of the transfers occurred in the six largest counties. Most of the juveniles transferred were males, and 4 of every 10 juveniles transferred were African-Americans or another minority. The instant offenses that accounted for most of the transfers were burglary, robbery, and rape. The juveniles bound over in 1981 had many previous court appearances for an extensive range of charges during 1979, 1980, and 1981. Data are not available on the disposition and sentences the 229 juveniles received in criminal court; however, a recent study showed that 85 percent of Ohio youth referred to criminal court in 1978 were convicted. Of those convicted, 85 percent were placed in correctional facilities. Ohio has not enacted any legislation that would make it easier to waive juveniles to adult court, and the number of juveniles tried as adults has not increased. The report recommends that before Ohio considers any changes that might impact juvenile court waiver, policymakers must determine what happened to the 229 juveniles bound over in 1981 and also ascertain how juveniles tried in juvenile court compared to those juveniles referred to criminal court. 6 tables and 3 figures