NCJ Number
189744
Date Published
2001
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This report analyzes the characteristics of referrals to 17 Texas juvenile probation departments that served 23 counties in 1999.
Abstract
These counties accounted for 52 percent of the statewide juvenile population and 46 percent of the statewide referrals to juvenile probation departments. Most juveniles referred to juvenile probation departments in 1999 were not referred for delinquent felony offenses, reflecting the same pattern evident since these studies have been conducted. Juveniles referred for delinquent misdemeanors, violations of court orders, and non-criminal status offenses (such as truancy and running away) represented 78 percent of the referrals in 1999, compared to 79 percent in 1997 and 64 percent in 1993. Only 16 percent of all referrals in 1999 were for violent delinquent offenses, a slight increase from the 14 percent in 1997. Still, less than half of these violent delinquent referrals were for felony offenses (40 percent), approximately the same percentage as in 1997. Seventy-four percent of juveniles were referred only once during 1999, and for 53 percent it was their first referral to the juvenile system. Juvenile dispositions, however, have continued to toughen. The percentage of referrals that have resulted in a formal disposition has increased from 21 percent of referrals in 1993 to 66 percent in 1999. The system processed mostly males between the ages of 15 and 16. African-Americans and Hispanics were referred disproportionately compared to their representation in the State population. A higher percentage of African-American juveniles (43 percent, up from 38 percent in 1997) were formally disposed compared to Hispanic (34 percent, up from 29 percent in 1997) and Anglo juveniles (31 percent, up from 25 percent in 1997). Extensive tables and figures