The Influence of Social Welfare Climate and Mandatory Arrest on Policing Decisions in Juvenile Domestic Violence Incidents

• In Event: Minimizing Justice Contact for Juvenile Domestic Violence: Policing Decisions, Alternative Placement and Informal Sanctions

Abstract

Juvenile Domestic Violence incidents have a broader etiology than adult cases and, in many cases, do not mimic the abuse and control dynamic of intimate partner violence. Regardless, cases of juvenile domestic violence often fall under mandatory arrests statutes and, even in jurisdictions without mandates, are one of the most common offenses for the detainment of youth. Washington State offers a unique opportunity to examine the factors influencing arrest decisions for these cases as the only state to limit mandatory arrest for domestic violence based on age (16 and older). In theory, this ought to limit the arrests of younger youth so that arrest is only used in cases of significant harm. However, community-based policing suggests that police may use arrest in family conflict situations for a variety of reasons not only tied to the likelihood of serious violence. This decision may be mitigated by the availability of other social welfare options available to families and to police for managing family conflict. This paper presents the results of a hierarchical analysis of the arrest rates for juvenile domestic violence in Washington State counties by level of social welfare investment. Further analysis of the assumption that providing arrest discretion based on age will reduce arrests for younger youth is presented and discussed.

Author

• Sarah Walker, University of Washington