NCJ Number
153797
Journal
Reports of the National Research Institute of Police Science Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: (July 1994) Pages: 13-26
Date Published
1994
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the traits of juvenile co-offending groups, processes of co-offending, and the social background of co- offending peers. Data were collected from 1,659 delinquents belonging to 640 co-offending group arrested by police in Japan between October 1993 and January 1993.
Abstract
The analysis found that only 3 percent of delinquent crimes were committed at night; over 58 percent were committed in an areas where the juvenile offenders routinely spent time. IN many groups, one member suggested committing the offense, while the other members agreed to the suggestion, usually immediately after it was made. Nearly 30 percent of delinquents reported that committing the crimes seemed to be interesting. A small number of groups reported having prepared to the commission of offenses beforehand. Groups that stole bicycles often committed the offenses to seek thrills and without thought to the consequences of their actions. The groups which committed theft through breaking and entering were most likely to have prepared for their crime. As the group size increased, they were more likely to prepare for offending, to have more members that sought thrills from their delinquency, and to realize that the possibility of arrest was strong.