• In dispositional hearings, juvenile court judges must determine the most appropriate sanction for delinquent youth. Disposition options include commitment to an institution or another residential facility; probation; or a variety of other dispositions, such as referral to an outside agency or treatment program, community service, fines, or restitution. Very often the court imposes some combination of these sanctions.
• The number of adjudicated delinquency cases resulting in residential placement increased 65% between 1985 and 1997 and then decreased by the same amount through 2018. In 2018, adjudicated juveniles were ordered to residential placement in 62,100 delinquency cases—28% of all adjudicated delinquency cases.
• The number of adjudicated delinquency cases resulting in formal probation nearly doubled between 1985 and 1997, then decreased 63% through 2018. In 2018, formal probation was the most restrictive disposition ordered in 139,000 delinquency cases—63% of all adjudicated delinquency cases.
• The number of adjudicated delinquency cases receiving other court ordered sanctions nearly doubled between 1985 and 1997, and then decreased 68% by 2018. In 2018, other sanctions, such as community service and restitution, were imposed in 19,000 delinquency cases—9% of all adjudicated delinquency cases.

USA.gov | Privacy | Policies & Disclaimers | FOIA | Site Map | Ask a Question | OJJDP Home
A component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice