• 1 in 5 of all violent crimes with juvenile victims occurs between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on school days.

    1 in 5 of all violent crimes with juvenile victims occurs between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on school days.

  • Students are more apt to be victims of serious violent crime away from school than at or on the way to school.

    Students are more apt to be victims of serious violent crime away from school than at or on the way to school.

  • A juvenile is a youth at or below the upper age of original jurisdiction in a State.

    A juvenile is a youth at or below the upper age of original jurisdiction in a State.

  • As of 2009, 45 States and the District of Columbia had statutes allowing transfer to criminal court via judicial waiver.

    As of 2009, 45 States and the District of Columbia had statutes allowing transfer to criminal court via judicial waiver.

  • All States have provisions for trying certain juveniles as adults in criminal court.

    All States have provisions for trying certain juveniles as adults in criminal court.

  • As of 2009, 14 States and the District of Columbia had concurrent jurisdiction provisions that gave prosecutors discretion to file certain cases in juvenile or criminal court.

    As of 2009, 14 States and the District of Columbia had concurrent jurisdiction provisions that gave prosecutors discretion to file certain cases in juvenile or criminal court.

  • In 2008, courts with juvenile jurisdiction disposed nearly 1.7 million delinquency cases.

    In 2008, courts with juvenile jurisdiction disposed nearly 1.7 million delinquency cases.

  • Delinquency offenses are acts committed by juveniles that would be crimes if committed by adults.

    Delinquency offenses are acts committed by juveniles that would be crimes if committed by adults.

  • The 2008 juvenile court delinquency caseload was more than 4 times the caseload in 1960.

    The 2008 juvenile court delinquency caseload was more than 4 times the caseload in 1960.

  • In 2008, nearly 90% of young adults had completed high school, a slight increase since 1975 when it was 84%.

    In 2008, nearly 90% of young adults had completed high school, a slight increase since 1975 when it was 84%.

  • In 2009, the juvenile male arrest rate for Violent Crime Index Offenses was 4.3 times the rate for females.

    In 2009, the juvenile male arrest rate for Violent Crime Index Offenses was 4.3 times the rate for females.

  • In 2009, 21% of all persons under age 18 lived at or below the poverty level.

    In 2009, 21% of all persons under age 18 lived at or below the poverty level.

  • In 2009, an estimated 1,770 children died as a result of child abuse or neglect. Infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) accounted for 81% of these victims.

    In 2009, an estimated 1,770 children died as a result of child abuse or neglect. Infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) accounted for 81% of these victims.

  • Persons ages 7-17 are about as likely to be victims of suicide as they are to be victims of homicide.

    Persons ages 7-17 are about as likely to be victims of suicide as they are to be victims of homicide.

  • One-fourth (25%) of all persons arrested for robbery in 2009 were under age 18.

    One-fourth (25%) of all persons arrested for robbery in 2009 were under age 18.

  • Nationally, fewer than 71,000 juvenile offenders were held in residential placement facilities on February 24, 2010.

    Nationally, fewer than 71,000 juvenile offenders were held in residential placement facilities on February 24, 2010.

  • The proportion of children living in single-parent homes more than doubled between 1970 and 2010 from 12% to 27%.

    The proportion of children living in single-parent homes more than doubled between 1970 and 2010 from 12% to 27%.

  • Nationally, females accounted for 13% of juvenile offenders in residential placement in 2010.

    Nationally, females accounted for 13% of juvenile offenders in residential placement in 2010.
JCS 2009

Overview

The National Center for Juvenile Justice is the research division of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) in Reno, NV. NCJFCJ is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3). Since its inception in 1973, the Center has been a resource for independent and original research on topics related directly and indirectly to the field of juvenile justice. Although the Center is the research division of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, it has its own Charter which governs all research activities and is responsible for generating its own operating funds. With substantial support from public and private sources over the years, the Center has developed resources and capacities which render it unique in the world of juvenile justice research.

Mission Statement

The mission of the National Center for Juvenile Justice is effective justice for children and families through research and technical assistance.

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

Since its founding in 1937 by a group of judges dedicated to improving the effectiveness of the nation's juvenile courts, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) has pursued a mission to improve courts and systems practice and raise awareness of the core issues that touch the lives of many of our nation's children and families. NCJFCJ is located in Reno, Nevada and is the parent organization of the National Center for Juvenile Justice.