Predictors of Support for Raising the Maximum Age of Juvenile Court Jurisdiction in North Carolina

• In Event: Public Opinion, Youth, and Juvenile Justice

Abstract

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the American juvenile justice system focused heavily on accountability and punishment. However, contemporary research has shifted attention to adolescent brain development and the key differences between adults and youth. Simultaneously, the juvenile justice system has transitioned toward a focus on rehabilitation and treatment, including efforts to raise the maximum age of juvenile court jurisdiction. This study examines public perceptions of the Raise the Age law, which went into effect in North Carolina in 2019. Data were collected from 276 adults residing in North Carolina at the time of the study. Logistic regression models were estimated to identify factors influencing support for raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction. The findings indicate that youth characteristics such as maturity, mental health, and immigration status are associated with support for raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction in North Carolina, while circumstantial and strategic factors such as peer pressure, presence of a weapon, and the system’s role in promoting general deterrence were not associated with support. These results build on previous research, showing that criminal justice policy attitudes are considerably more nuanced than merely demographic or political concerns. Implications for research and policy will be discussed.

Authors

• Sara Bryson, University of Tampa

• Matt Nobles, University of Central Florida