The Effect of Race on Degree of Penetration into the Juvenile Justice System: A Matched Analysis of Case Outcomes

• 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

Prior research has found that disproportionate minority contact (DMC) is a problem in the juvenile justice system. Some have argued that this is the result of discriminatory decisions or stereotypes by system actors, while others assert that it is due to legally relevant decision-making factors (e.g., differences in offense seriousness). This study uses data from multiple juvenile courts in the State of Ohio to examine the relationship between race and decision making in the juvenile justice system. Specifically, the analysis focuses on whether there are racial disparities in the degree of penetration into the juvenile justice system and, if identified, whether these disparities can be accounted for by relevant legal factors. Using a nearest neighbor matching algorithm, youth are matched on a number of covariates – such as gender, age, instant offense, prior record, neighborhood of residence, and risk level – to estimate the effect of race/ethnicity on their degree of penetration into the juvenile justice system. The discussion considers the relevance of the study's findings for understanding and responding to the DMC issue.

Authors

• Shaun M. Gann, University of Cincinnati

• Christopher Sullivan, University of Cincinnati

• John Wooldredge, University of Cincinnati