| Q: |
Has there been an increase in the number of delinquency cases ordered to formal probation or residential placement? |
| A: |
Nearly all the growth in the number of adjudicated delinquency cases in which the youth was placed on formal probation or ordered to a residential facility took place between 1985 and 1997. |
Adjudicated delinquency cases by disposition, 1985-2018
| Year |
Residential
placement |
Probation |
Other sanction |
| 1985 |
107,600 |
197,900 |
31,100 |
| 1986 |
113,000 |
203,700 |
34,500 |
| 1987 |
109,300 |
199,700 |
33,200 |
| 1988 |
110,000 |
199,000 |
37,100 |
| 1989 |
121,700 |
216,900 |
39,900 |
| 1990 |
123,700 |
224,400 |
39,400 |
| 1991 |
128,300 |
235,500 |
46,000 |
| 1992 |
132,200 |
252,100 |
48,400 |
| 1993 |
138,000 |
275,300 |
54,100 |
| 1994 |
149,300 |
298,900 |
59,900 |
| 1995 |
156,700 |
320,900 |
58,900 |
| 1996 |
168,300 |
354,900 |
62,300 |
| 1997 |
178,100 |
378,300 |
59,600 |
| 1998 |
180,600 |
374,700 |
55,900 |
| 1999 |
180,400 |
369,800 |
51,200 |
| 2000 |
179,600 |
380,000 |
46,300 |
| 2001 |
168,200 |
376,800 |
43,000 |
| 2002 |
165,700 |
370,800 |
51,100 |
| 2003 |
162,600 |
364,400 |
49,200 |
| 2004 |
155,000 |
358,400 |
48,100 |
| 2005 |
150,800 |
342,800 |
47,400 |
| 2006 |
147,400 |
340,400 |
41,100 |
| 2007 |
145,300 |
339,400 |
40,100 |
| 2008 |
138,300 |
336,500 |
43,100 |
| 2009 |
121,600 |
305,000 |
38,500 |
| 2010 |
114,600 |
273,300 |
35,100 |
| 2011 |
104,700 |
251,300 |
31,400 |
| 2012 |
92,300 |
221,300 |
29,500 |
| 2013 |
83,600 |
204,700 |
25,400 |
| 2014 |
75,500 |
192,900 |
23,700 |
| 2015 |
69,200 |
171,800 |
20,100 |
| 2016 |
68,200 |
157,300 |
21,300 |
| 2017 |
68,000 |
150,700 |
21,500 |
| 2018 |
62,100 |
139,000 |
19,000 |
Note: Cases are categorized according to their most severe disposition.
[ Graph version ]
[ CSV file ]
- 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.
Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/court/qa06501.asp?qaDate=2018.
Released on March 31, 2020. Adapted from Easy Access to Juvenile Court Statistics. Available on-line at: https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/ezajcs/.
Data Source: National Juvenile Court Data Archive. National Center for Juvenile Justice. Pittsburgh, PA.
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