Juvenile Justice Decision Points

The Juvenile Justice Decision Points below were defined in consultation with the US Department of Justice as a result of the requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act (Pub. L. No. 93-415, 42 U.S.C.ยง 5601 et seq.) and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, Title I–Part R, Chapter 46–Subchapter XII-F. Shortened forms found on this site are in parentheses.

At-Risk is defined as youth aged 0 through 16 and is broken down by race/ethnicity. All races except “Hispanic” are populations not considered Hispanic.

Arrests is measured by the unique juvenile/offense entry date combinations where the youth was NOT in secure placement RYDC or YDC at the time of the entry. Arrest category may represent referrals to law enforcement, juvenile court, or DJJ. Number of juvenile arrests represents number of unique referrals. Each referral can represent more than one charge.

Cases/Referrals to Juvenile Court (Referrals) is measured by the unique juvenile / offense entry date combination. Multiple charges for the same youth entered on the same date, regardless of the “offense date” will be counted as one “case” or “referral”. Referral category represents referral charges to juvenile court and DJJ. Multiple charges may be associated with a single referral.

Cases Diverted is measured by the cases where, among all charges in the case, the most serious outcome is a diversion. Diversions are informal adjustment, abeyance, diverted complaint withheld, mediation, and nolle prosequi. Diversion category represents the total number of cases diverted.

New Instances of Secure Detention (Secure Detention) is measured by instances of contiguous periods of time spent in RYDCs. “New” means that the instance started during the reporting period. Transfers between RYDCs will NOT be counted as new episodes. Secure detention category represents the total number of new admissions to RYDC.

Cases Petitioned (Petitions) is measured by the cases where, among all charges in the case, the most serious outcome is something other than a dismissal or diversion. Petition category represents petitioned cases to juvenile court. Multiple cases may be associated with a single petition.

Cases Resulting in a Delinquent Findings (Delinquent) is measured by the petitioned cases resulting in a delinquent finding. The charge must be a misdemeanor or felony. Delinquent category represents finding of delinquency in juvenile court. Multiple charges may be associated with a single finding of delinquency.

Cases Resulting in Commitment to DJJ (Commitments, Committments to DJJ) is measured by the petitioned cases where, among all charges in the case, the most serious outcome is a commitment to DJJ. Commitment category represents total number of unique cases resulting in commitment.

New Instances of Confinement Instances in Secure Juvenile Correctional Facilities (Secure Confinement) is measured by the total number of youth placed in YDC or Short Term Program (STP). Instances are contiguous periods of time spent in secure correctional confinement (YDC). “New” means that the instance started during the reporting period. Transfers between YDCs will NOT be counted as new instances.

Cases Sentences in Adult Court (Transfers, Superior Court Sentenced) is measured by the cases where, among all charges in the case, the most serious outcome is a superior court (adult) sentence. Cases sentenced in adult court category represents the total number of superior court sentences with a unique court date.