Juvenile Delinquency Probation Caseload, 1989-1998

• NCJ Number: 189727
• Author(s): Meghan C. Black
• Date Published: September 2001
• Length: 2 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

Information and data on the Nation's juvenile delinquency probation caseload for 1989-1998 examines the percentage of cases that resulted in probation in 1998, changes in the demographic profile of probation cases since 1989, and offenses involved in the probation caseload.

Abstract

Courts with juvenile jurisdiction handled nearly 1.8 million delinquency cases in 1998. Probation supervision was the most severe disposition in approximately 38 percent of all delinquency cases. The number of cases placed on probation increased 56 percent between 1989 and 1998. Some youth were ordered to probation after being adjudicated delinquent. In contrast to court-ordered probation, some youth who were not adjudicated delinquent voluntarily agreed to abide by certain probation conditions, often with the understanding that if they successfully completed their probationary period, their cases would be terminated without any formal processing. In 1998, 69 percent of the cases placed on probation involved white juveniles; 28 percent involved Black juveniles; and 3 percent involved juveniles of other races. Between 1989 and 1998, the probation caseload increased 57 percent for Black juveniles and 56 percent for white juveniles. Most cases placed on probation in 1998 involved males; however, the female share of the probation caseload increased in the last decade from 18 percent in 1989 to 24 percent in 1998. Property-offense cases continued to account for the majority of cases placed on probation, but their share of the probation caseload declined. 3 tables and 1 figure