To make informed decisions, the juvenile justice community must take into account evolving demographic and social trends. We must consider the offenders who come before our juvenile courts and the resources required to help them lead more productive lives.

Juvenile Court Statistics 2003–2004 draws on data from the National Juvenile Court Data Archive to describe the more than 1.6 million delinquency cases addressed each year by courts with juvenile jurisdiction in 2003 and 2004.

The report also reviews trends in delinquency cases since 1985 and the formally processed status offense cases between 1995 and 2004. These profiles include the demographics of youth charged, reasons for referral to court, and court responses.

The information provided in these pages offers those working in the juvenile justice system a frame of reference to guide their commendable efforts to reduce the impact of crime on our communities, families, and young people.

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