NCJ Number
138874
Date Published
1992
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study was undertaken to determine the extent to which juveniles who allegedly committed violent offenses were held accountable for their offenses in cases where judicial discretion was not constrained by statute.
Abstract
The study was based on a subset of the data collected and analyzed in the Juvenile Justice Processing Study recently completed by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. The research frame consisted of a census cohort of juvenile delinquency cases opened at probation intake in New York City during 1987. Source data were derived from matching two databases maintained by the New York City Juvenile Justice Information Services. Findings indicate that as violent offenses increased in felony class, no corresponding increase occurred in juvenile delinquency findings or placements. Felony class remained unrelated to processing outcomes, regardless of the severity of prior delinquency record. Placements for violent offenses increased with the severity of the prior delinquency record; however, a history of violent offenses in the prior delinquency record was not related to the more severe processing of violent offense cases. Eight percent of all violent felony offense cases processed were dismissed after allegations were established either through an admission or by trial; these cases accounted for 1 in 4 violent felony cases in which allegations were proven. Case processing patterns for violent and property offenses were similar. Recommendations suggest that the introduction of the principles of proportionality, equity, and accountability in case processing would help achieve a fairer system of justice, one that is more meaningful to juveniles and more rational to the public. 3 tables, 2 figures, and 31 notes