NCJ Number
141442
Date Published
1993
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Waiver involves the transfer of jurisdiction over a juvenile case from family court to adult criminal court, and data on waiver trends in New Jersey are presented.
Abstract
A significant increase has occurred in the use of waivers in New Jersey. The period between 1984 and 1990 saw a 189-percent increase in the number of waivers filed by prosecutors and a 161-percent increase in the number of waivers granted. The 198 waivers granted in 1990 represented a 71-percent increase in just 2 years, while the 275 waivers filed represented a 22-percent increase over the same period. Somewhat surprisingly, the trend shifted in 1991 despite the addition of new waivable offenses during that year. For 1991, waivers filed dropped by 7 percent and waivers granted declined by 11 percent. The use of waivers varied greatly by county, and significant placement issues were encountered for waived juveniles. Waived juveniles seemed more likely to be incarcerated and for longer periods of time than nonwaived juveniles. Sentencing patterns in waived cases are examined, and recommendations for additional research on the waiver issue are offered. 1 table