MENU TITLE: Juvenile Court Statistics 1993:. Foreword Series: OJJDP Published: June 1996 1 page 2,022 bytes --------------------------------------------------- FOREWORD Our Nation's juvenile courts play a critical role in the lives of children. As the crux of society's response to delinquency, the juvenile court mandates appropriate sanctions and establishes treatment plans for juvenile offenders. Its purpose is not only to protect society but to reform offenders by affording them opportunities to develop a sense of social accountability and responsibility. The philosophy of the juvenile court as an agent of reform is the foundation of the American juvenile justice system. The court not only imposes sanctions, but provides the resources to combat further delinquency. Clearly, the court is on the front line of our struggle to halt the epidemic of violence that permeates our society. What issues does the juvenile court face? Which types of offenders appear before it? What resources are available to the court today? Juvenile Court Statistics 1993 addresses these and other significant questions, profiling nearly 1.5 million delinquency cases handled by juvenile courts during 1993. Undoubtedly, the challenges facing the juvenile court are becoming increasingly difficult. From 1989 to 1993, the number of delinquency cases addressed by juvenile courts increased 14 percent. Juvenile offenses against persons rose 42 percent in the same period. This report provides a reference to guide our efforts to reduce the effects of juvenile delinquency on communities, families, and individuals, including our young people. I am grateful to all those involved in preparing this document. I trust it will help policymakers, researchers, and the public to better understand the juvenile justice system and enhance our Nation's response to juvenile delinquency. Shay Bilchik Administrator Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention