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Juveniles in Court
Juvenile Court Cases
Q: What are the characteristics of delinquency cases handled by juvenile courts?
A: The typical delinquency case involves a white male under the age of 16; however, the demographic profile of varies by offense.

Characteristics of delinquency cases handled by juvenile courts, 2009

Most serious offense
Number
of cases
Percent of cases handled by juvenile courts
Female Under 16 White Black American
Indian		 Asian/NHPI
Total Delinquency
1,484,400
28%
52%
64%
34%
1%
1%
Person Offenses
365,500
30
59
57
41
1
1
Violent Crime Index*
76,900
18
53
44
54
1
2
Criminal homicide
1,200
12
39
54
43
1
2
Forcible rape
4,000
3
58
67
30
2
1
Robbery
29,200
11
49
29
69
1
2
Aggravated assault
42,400
25
56
51
46
1
2
Simple assault
247,700
35
61
59
38
1
1
Other violent sex offenses
12,900
6
69
67
31
1
1
Other person offenses
28,100
28
56
67
31
1
1
Property Offenses
564,900
29
53
66
31
2
2
Property Crime Index**
397,000
35
52
64
33
2
2
Burglary
98,400
11
52
63
34
1
1
Larceny-theft
272,700
45
52
64
32
2
2
Motor vehicle theft
19,300
21
48
57
39
2
2
Arson
6,700
14
75
75
22
2
1
Vandalism
92,400
15
61
78
19
2
1
Trespassing
47,000
19
53
61
37
1
1
Stolen property offenses
15,500
14
47
54
43
1
2
Other property offenses
13,000
31
44
63
34
1
1
Drug Law Violations
166,000
18
39
75
22
2
1
Public Order Offenses
388,000
27
49
62
35
1
1
Obstruction of justice
182,400
26
41
63
34
1
2
Disorderly conduct
110,500
34
63
53
45
1
1
Weapons offenses
32,500
12
56
62
35
1
2
Liquor law violations
17,400
30
33
89
7
3
1
Nonviolent sex offenses
11,200
21
65
73
25
1
1
Other public order offenses
34,000
24
47
72
25
1
2
* Includes criminal homicide, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
** Includes burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.

Note: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding. Percents are based on unrounded numbers.

[ Excel file ]

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/court/qa06206.asp?qaDate=2009. Released on May 01, 2012.

Data Source: National Juvenile Court Data Archive. National Center for Juvenile Justice. Pittsburgh, PA.

 

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