Ohio DMC Assessment: Study Aims and Methods

• In Event: Identifying and Understanding Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in the Juvenile Justice System: Initial Results from Ohio’s Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Study

Abstract

This brief presentation gives an overview of the Ohio Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Assessment. The study is focused on thirteen counties, collecting data in both their juvenile courts and selected police departments. Its main objectives are, first, to determine whether there is disproportionate contact among minority youth for various points in police and court decision-making processes. Second, the study seeks to identify some potential explanations for disproportionality (where it was identified). Data collection included reviews of existing records, focus groups, key informant interviews, and targeted observations of court proceedings.

Authors

• Christopher Sullivan, University of Cincinnati

• Robin Engel, University of Cincinnati

• Edward Latessa, University of Cincinnati

• John Wooldredge, University of Cincinnati