Crime Rates Among Juvenile Offenders

 Posted on May 20, 2016 in Juvenile Crimes

If you have been charged in connection with a crime or criminally sentenced, it can have far-reaching effects for the rest of your life. It may be more difficult to find work, or to participate in particular activities (going to certain areas, seeing certain people). If you are convicted of a felony, you may even be stripped of basic civil rights—convicted felons are barred from voting in 12 states. In Connecticut, a convicted felon who has been committed to the state correctional system and is residing in the correctional institution facility or community residence, he or she cannot vote. This person may be able to restore his or her voting rights, but whether he or she is able to do so is determinate upon the conviction and the specifics of the case surrounding it. Despite these long-lasting effects that can wreak havoc on a person’s life, if you are convicted of a crime as a juvenile, it can be even more devastating.

Risks for Young Offenders

A juvenile sentenced to a correctional institution will not be able to grow or participate in society traditionally. This loss of community and normal interaction during formative years can have emotional and social effects that outweigh even the institutional barriers posed by such convictions. The severity of the alleged crime matters especially in the case of juvenile offenders. The worse the crime, the more likely it is that the alleged offender will be tried as an adult and thus face longer sentences, higher fines, and/or time in a facility not specifically designed for juvenile offenders. 

Trends in Criminal Activity

The most common offense committed by young people under the age of 18 when considered as a percentage of juvenile offenders of the overall rate of the particular offense is arson. Thirty-five percent of all cleared arson cases, including those closed by arrest or other means, involved juvenile offenders in 2009. In the same year, 44 percent of all arson cases in which a person was arrested involved juvenile offenders. Murder was the least common serious offense involving juveniles, with only 9 percent of all murders resulting in the arrest of a juvenile.

Juvenile crime is not relegated to men. Thirty percent of all serious offenses committed by juveniles in 2009 were perpetrated by young women. Just less than this—27 percent—were committed by juveniles under the age of 15. 

If you have been accused of a serious crime as a minor, it is imperative to immediately speak with a qualified legal professional. Contact an experienced Stamford criminal defense attorney by calling 203-348-5846 today. 

Sources: 

http://www.ct.gov/doc/lib/doc/PDF/VotingRightsEnglish.pdf

http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1553510,00.html

http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/236477.pdf