The National Juvenile Court Data Archive (Archive) houses the automated records of cases handled by courts with juvenile jurisdiction. The Archive was established by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, within the U.S. Department of Justice, to promote access to automated juvenile court data sets for juvenile justice research and policymaking efforts. This web site was developed to inform researchers about the available data sets and the procedures for use and access.

The Archive provides juvenile justice professionals, policymakers, researchers, and the public with the most detailed information available on the activities of the nation's juvenile courts. To accomplish this goal, the Archive engages in a variety of activities.

Identifies data sources

• Evaluates newly developed state and local information systems
• Negotiates access to data

Collects data

• Collects aggregate juvenile court statistics
• Collects court-generated research data
• Collects multi-record administrative data

Cleans, documents, and archives submitted data files

• Solicits existing documentation
• Clarifies documentation
• Prepares in-house and off-site vault tape copies
• Cleans data files (missing data, bad records)

Creates standardized, case-level data files

• Develops software to extract or convert data
• Develops customized data structures
• Recodes case-level data into common national format

Documents and archives research data files

• Prepares user's guides for data files

Analyzes data

• Conducts analyses of data files
• Generates national estimates
• Prepares other special analyses

Disseminates information

• Prepares Juvenile Court Statistics reports
• Prepares OJJDP Juvenile Justice Bulletins
• Prepares OJJDP Fact Sheets
• Prepares other special analysis reports
• Maintains the Statistical Briefing Book pages for OJJDP's web site

Disseminates archived data files

• Consults with potential data users on selection of data files and their utility for specific research questions
• Distributes user's guides and prepares contracts with potential data users
• Prepares and distributes data files and SPSS control files

Provides consultation services

• Develops and enhances state and local information systems
• Develops research extract software
• Designs model output reports
• Designs research and analysis plans

Serves as an information clearinghouse

• Responds to information requests from federal, state, and local justice agencies, researchers, data suppliers, and the media