U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Arrest and Disposition of Juveniles In Arkansas Circuit Courts: Summary

NCJ Number
118194
Author(s)
B J McCoy
Date Published
Unknown
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This study examines the cases of juveniles under age 18 charged with criminal offenses and tried in selected Arkansas Circuit Courts during 1978 to 1980.
Abstract
During the period 1978 to 1980, there were 45,865 arrests involving juveniles under age 18 for violations of Arkansas laws. In 1978, 4467 juveniles were diverted to Circuit (adult) Courts, and by 1980 the number of juvenile diversions to adult courts had increased to 5276. Arrest data and data regarding juveniles committed to the Arkansas Department of Corrections were derived from reports prepared by the Arkansas Crime Information Center and the Arkansas Department of Youth Services. Data from selected Judicial Circuits came from records of the circuit clerks that were researched to identify cases involving juveniles. The study found that most juveniles who appear in Circuit Court are charged with property offenses, not dangerous crimes. Because Circuit Court sentences for juveniles often result in probation or suspended sentences, it does not keep juveniles off the streets. Circuit Court probation also becomes a part of the youngster's lifetime criminal record, while probation from juvenile court does not. The study advocates an examination of the reasons why Arkansas juveniles not charged with serious offenses are brought into adult court, as well as better record keeping by both adult and juvenile courts.