The Nation’s juvenile courts play a critical role in the response to juvenile crime and the problems of offenders, victims, and the community. When responding to delinquent behavior, the courts become significantly involved in the lives of juveniles, and the impact of these interventions can last a lifetime. Although courts do impose sanctions, they also provide the necessary resources to increase the youth's competency to cope and succeed. The purpose of the juvenile court is not only to protect society but also to afford juvenile offenders opportunities to develop into functioning members of society.

To ensure informed decisionmaking and policy development, the juvenile court must stay abreast of evolving social trends. It is important that the court understand the changing nature of the offenders who come before it as well as the nature, availability, and effects of the resources that are required to help these youth.

Juvenile Court Statistics 2001–2002 profiles more than 1.6 million delinquency cases handled by courts with juvenile jurisdiction in 2002 and describes trends since 1985. It also includes state- and county-level data for both 2001 and 2002. The data in this report provide a detailed portrait of the juvenile court and a frame of reference for policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and others who share concern for the future of our youth.

J. Robert Flores
Administrator
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention