Juvenile Crime Statistics
Juvenile Crime Statistics
William Scott Bennett
CJA/374
September 24, 2012
LeDetra C. Jones
Juvenile Arrests 2008
Data is collected by law enforcement agencies within the United States and submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigations for tracking purposes. These numbers are used by analysts at the FBI to indicate trends in crime and to possibly develop alternative policing methods. A statistician can manipulate numbers to show what they feel is relevant, but aside from just being numbers in a spreadsheet it allows police forces to determine the trends within their respective communities. According to Puzzanchera (2009) “In 2008, law enforcement agencies in the United States made an estimated 2.11 million arrests of persons younger than age 18” (p. 1).The report from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice shows that overall there is a downward trend among juvenile offenders during the year 2008.
Overall Decrease While looking at a nine years span of statistics it is clear that juvenile arrests have decreased. The data used in the report indicated a downward progress in juvenile arrests, showing a decline of 3% in overall juvenile arrests from 2007 to 2008 (Puzzanchera, 2009). During the study period it is clear to see that certain items have increased to include the increase in drug offense by juveniles as well as an increase in juveniles being arrested for simple assault.
Increase in Drug Offenses The apparent increase in drug related offenses may be attributable to the increase in availability of the drugs. In Colorado marijuana was legalized for medicinal purposes and suddenly became a popular drug with minors in schools, as it was obtainable at the home from parents or guardians that have a valid prescription. This has led to many students being prosecuted for both possession and distribution within schools.
Increase in Simple Assaults As juvenile arrests have
William Scott Bennett
CJA/374
September 24, 2012
LeDetra C. Jones
Juvenile Arrests 2008
Data is collected by law enforcement agencies within the United States and submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigations for tracking purposes. These numbers are used by analysts at the FBI to indicate trends in crime and to possibly develop alternative policing methods. A statistician can manipulate numbers to show what they feel is relevant, but aside from just being numbers in a spreadsheet it allows police forces to determine the trends within their respective communities. According to Puzzanchera (2009) “In 2008, law enforcement agencies in the United States made an estimated 2.11 million arrests of persons younger than age 18” (p. 1).The report from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the U.S. Department of Justice shows that overall there is a downward trend among juvenile offenders during the year 2008.
Overall Decrease While looking at a nine years span of statistics it is clear that juvenile arrests have decreased. The data used in the report indicated a downward progress in juvenile arrests, showing a decline of 3% in overall juvenile arrests from 2007 to 2008 (Puzzanchera, 2009). During the study period it is clear to see that certain items have increased to include the increase in drug offense by juveniles as well as an increase in juveniles being arrested for simple assault.
Increase in Drug Offenses The apparent increase in drug related offenses may be attributable to the increase in availability of the drugs. In Colorado marijuana was legalized for medicinal purposes and suddenly became a popular drug with minors in schools, as it was obtainable at the home from parents or guardians that have a valid prescription. This has led to many students being prosecuted for both possession and distribution within schools.
Increase in Simple Assaults As juvenile arrests have
References: Puzzanchera, C. (2009, December). Juvenile Arrests 2008. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, ().