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Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in the Juvenile Justice System: Discrimination or Disproportionality of Delinquent Acts? (From System in Black and White: Exploring the Connections Between Race, Crime, and Justice, P 227-239, 2000, Michael W. Markowitz and Delores D. Jones-Brown, eds. -- See NCJ

NCJ Number
183613
Author(s)
Janice Joseph
Date Published
2000
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Minority youth are overrepresented at every point in the judicial process; while some studies show that discrimination accounts for this overrepresentation, others point to disproportionate involvement of minority youth in juvenile delinquency.
Abstract
Despite the claims of some researchers that the juvenile justice system is not discriminatory, there is clear evidence that, in some cases, discrimination is a factor in the juvenile justice decision-making process. Equal justice dictates that every juvenile delinquent in the system be treated fairly, irrespective of his or her racial or ethnic background. This fact calls for significant changes in the juvenile justice process. Although policy changes are usually slow to be implemented, discrimination in the juvenile justice system should not be tolerated. Of equal importance is the prevention of juvenile delinquency among minority youth. Policymakers, juvenile justice officials, and minority communities should work together to reduce the overrepresentation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system and to reduce minority youth involvement in juvenile delinquency. 67 references