The Nation's juvenile courts processed 5.7 petitioned status offense cases for every 1,000 youth at risk of referral in 1996 (table 16). The total status offense case rate was 81% higher in 1996 than in 1987. Between 1987 and 1996, the truancy case rate increased 73%, the rate for cases of running away increased 65%, and the rate of status liquor law violation cases increased 59%. The rate for cases involving ungovernability increased 28%.

Table 16: Percent Change in Petitioned Status Offense Cases and Case Rates, 1987-1996

Note: Detail may not add to totals because of rounding. Percent change calculations are based on unrounded numbers.