Although crime rates are not unerringly represented by the OJJDP generated reports, general patterns and trends are effectively shown.

Some of the more interesting patterns in juvenile offenses are:
From 1987 – 1994, there was a dramatic increase in juvenile arrests. Murder rates, as well as aggravated assault rates, doubled. It was noted, however, that since 1994 arrest rates have been on the decline with a 74% drop in murder arrests for 2000 as compared to 1993. The increase demonstrated in the murder arrest rate in 1987 – 1994 was dominated by males (as well as an increase in crimes involving firearms). Drug related arrests increased steadily in the 1990s and have yet to drop by any significant margin. For female offenders, the arrest rates did not experience the same dramatic rise and fall that was shown in male arrests. Instead, there has been a steady, continual rise in female arrest rates since the 1980s.

The most common types of crimes that result in juvenile offense arrests include:
Homicide, rape, assault, robbery, auto theft, vandalism, prostitution, drug possession and underage liquor law violations.

Breakdown of Arrests
About half of all juvenile arrests were made for simple assault, theft, drug violations and disorderly conduct. The number one offense resulting in an arrest was related to theft. Recorded juvenile arrests numbered 2,468,800 in 1999. Out of these, arrests for theft numbered 380,500. Recorded arrests in 2000 numbered 2,369,400 and 363,500 of these were for theft. Drug possession and abuse violations numbered 198,400 of juvenile arrests in 1999 and totaled 203,900 of the arrests for 2000. Juvenile arrests for violent crimes numbered 103,900 in 1999 and 98,900 for 2000. Overall, juvenile arrest rates fell by 5% between 1999 and 2000.

The annual bulletin, “OJJDP Juvenile Arrests 2008”, summarized juvenile offenses known to the police along with arrests made during 2008. In 2008, approximately 2.11 million individuals under the age of 18 were arrested, which was a 3% decline from the previous year.

Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice.

The Jodat Law Group, attorney Gary R. Jodat, serving Sarasota, Florida can provide you with more information about juvenile arrests.