Exploring Differences in Judicial Decision-Making for Juvenile Arrests in School Versus in the Community

• In Event: Delinquency, Schools, and the Juvenile Justice System

Abstract

A large and growing body of research has sought to explore patterns in youthful offending and the associated juvenile justice system responses. However, empirical attention to the role of judicial decision-making has been limited and potential variation in adjudication outcomes based on the location of the youth’s offense has not been considered. This paper seeks to advance research on juvenile justice system processing by comparing judicial decision-making outcomes (e.g., adjudication, dismissals) for offenses committed on school grounds versus similar offenses committed in the community. Given heightened attention to issues of school safety, it is plausible that juvenile court judges may react more punitively to certain offenses committed in school. To explore these factors, we use a unique longitudinal dataset on juvenile offending and associated justice system response. The findings from this study will provide a framework for future research on juvenile justice responses to school-based offending. Implications for policy and practice will also be discussed.

Authors

• George Pesta, Florida State University

• Julie Brancale, Florida State University

• Michaela Wilson, Florida State University