In 1996 California experienced the largest 1-year drop in violent crime, property crime, homicide, and the California Crime Index (CCI) since the State began collecting crime statistics in 1952. The CCI was down 12.6 percent; violent crimes decreased 10.8 percent; property crimes decreased 13.5 percent; homicide was down 18.2 percent; forcible rape declined 4.0 percent; robbery was down 10.9 percent; aggravated assault decreased 11.1 percent; burglary declined 12.8 percent; and motor vehicle theft decreased 14.5 percent. Over the past 5 years, the rate of juvenile felony arrests has declined 20.8 percent; the juvenile violent-crime arrest rate has fallen 9.6 percent, and the juvenile homicide arrest rate has plummeted 51.9 percent. The status offense rate (truancy, incorrigibility, running away, and curfew violations) continues its apparent inverse relationship with other juvenile arrest rates by increasing 36.3 percent over the last 5 years. Two juvenile felony arrest categories experienced a significant increase over the past 5 years: felony marijuana and dangerous drug arrests, with more than a 50-percent increase. Other data presented cover adult felony arrest dispositions, adults under State and local supervision, criminal justice expenditures and personnel, citizens' complaints against peace officers, and domestic violence data. Extensive tabular and graphic data and appended data characteristics and known limitations, criminal justice glossary, arrest offense codes, and computation formulas