Juveniles processed in the Arizona court system

              JUVENILES PROCESSED IN THE
ARIZONA COURT SYSTEM FY00
July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000
March 2001
Arizona Supreme Court
Administrative Office of the Courts
Juvenile Justice Services Division
1501 West Washington, Suite 337
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-9443
i
JUVENILES PROCESSED IN THE ARIZONA COURT SYSTEM IN FY 2000
July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..................................................................................................................................1
Chart: Juvenile Justice Flow Chart..............................................................................................3
Chart: Arizona Juvenile Court Activity FY00 ..............................................................................4
Chart: Referrals, Petitions Filed and Juveniles Referred and Petitioned: FY95 - FY00............5
Chart: Dispositions of Juveniles: FY95 - FY00, Probation, ADJC, and Adult Court.................6
Juveniles Referred........................................................................................................................7
Juveniles Diverted.......................................................................................................................10
Juveniles with Petitions Filed......................................................................................................15
Juveniles with Dispositions of Dismissed...................................................................................18
Juveniles with Dispositions of Penalty Only...............................................................................21
Juveniles with Dispositions to Standard Probation.....................................................................24
Juveniles with Dispositions to JIPS ............................................................................................28
Juveniles with Dispositions to ADJC..........................................................................................32
Juveniles Direct Filed in and Transferred to Adult Court...........................................................37
Juveniles Direct Filed in Adult Court .........................................................................................39
Juveniles Transferred to Adult Court..........................................................................................43
Juveniles Detained by the Juvenile Court...................................................................................47
Population...................................................................................................................................51
Notes ..........................................................................................................................................53
Glossary of Juvenile Justice Terms.............................................................................................56
Produced and Published by
Administrative Office of the Courts · Juvenile Justice Services Division
1501 W. Washington · Phoenix, Arizona 85007-3231 (602) 542-9443
www.supreme.state.az.us/jjsd/
This publication can be provided in an alternative format upon request to assist persons
with disabilities under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
1
JUVENILES PROCESSED IN THE ARIZONA COURT SYSTEM IN FY2000
July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2000
INTRODUCTION
This is the seventh publication of Juveniles Processed in the Arizona Court System. The data for
this report are drawn each year from the fifteen Juvenile Courts’ Juvenile On-Line Tracking
Systems (JOLTS). JOLTS is the court’s automated juvenile court information management
system that has been operational in Maricopa County Juvenile Court for more than 20 years, and
statewide for seven full years. Each Juvenile Court actively participates in collecting and
maintaining the data to ensure quality and accurate numbers.
This report provides an overview of the juveniles processed at various stages of the juvenile
justice system statewide during fiscal year 2000. Selected breakdowns of an unduplicated
juvenile count1 are presented at the following stages: Referral; Diversion; Petition; Dispositions
of Dismissed, Penalty Only, Standard Probation, Juvenile Intensive Probation Supervision,
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections; Direct Filed in and Transferred to Adult Court, and
Juveniles Detained.
The characteristics of juveniles at each of these stages are contained in this report. Each
characterization of the juvenile is determined at his or her most recent referral. The demographic
characteristics displayed are gender, ethnicity, age, and education status. This information is
followed by offense-specific characteristics that contain the number of prior referrals, offense
class of the most serious offense, and the severity of the most serious offense2.
Note that not all of these juveniles processed entered the system during this fiscal year, as some
may have entered the previous fiscal year but received a disposition during this fiscal year.
Therefore, these juveniles were all processed at least at one point in the system during this year.
That is, one or more of the stages presented in this report happened during the year. The
juveniles were referred, diverted, petitioned, had at least one disposition from the court, direct
filed in and/or transferred to adult court, and/or detained at one point during FY00.
The number of juveniles processed in the juvenile justice system is influenced by several factors,
including legislative actions (which result in changes in the law), law enforcement and
prosecutorial practices, and the number of juveniles ages 8 to 17 years old in the Arizona
population. Through the year 2000, the number of juveniles in the population has continued to
increase steadily, as can be seen in the Arizona Juvenile Population Estimates and Projections
chart in the population section3.
2
The flow chart of the juvenile justice system in this section of the report is followed by a chart
entitled Arizona Juvenile Court Activity that illustrates selected stages within the juvenile justice
system and the number of juveniles processed at each of these stages. In the Arizona Juvenile
Court Activity chart, all stages show both duplicated and unduplicated counts of juveniles. Since
a juvenile may receive more than one referral in a given year, the number of referrals and the
number of juveniles at each stage will not be the same. Thus, the number of referrals gives a
sense of the workload generated throughout the juvenile justice system as well as the number of
juveniles processed at each stage.
Two graphs are included in this section to portray trends over the past six years. The first graph
shows data on referrals, referred juveniles, petitions filed and juveniles with petitions filed. The
referral numbers display total referrals, including multiple referrals of many youth. The referred
juveniles show the number of unique youth. The same distinction is made between petitions
filed (includes counts of multiple petitions per youth) and juveniles with petitions filed
(unduplicated). The second graph shows the number of juveniles in each of four dispositions for
each of the past six years. The number for each disposition is unduplicated, but, if a youth
experienced more than one disposition during the year, he or she would be counted once in each
disposition category.
In addition to this report that is published annually, other reports are available that describe some
of the stages included herein. For example, the Juvenile Justice Services Division also publishes
the Juvenile Intensive Probation Supervision (JIPS) Annual Report. Several special reports have
also been completed over the past several years summarizing studies of specific juvenile
programs or issues. These studies include: the Arizona Juvenile Justice Evaluation, the PIC-ACT
Study, the Juvenile Commitment Guidelines Departure Research Project, the Juvenile
Justice Treatment Evaluation Pilot Project Outcomes Report, the Treatment Evaluation Pilot
Project Final Report, the Survey of Arizona Juvenile Justice Service Providers, the Arizona
Juvenile Transfer Study, the Initial Evaluation of Treatment Services for Juveniles Receiving
Treatment in Arizona from January 1, 1994 to June 30, 1994, and the Empirical Validation of
the Arizona Risk/Needs Instrument and Assessment Process4. Juveniles Processed FY98, FY99
and FY00 are available on the Internet at http://www.supreme.state.az.us/jjsd/.
Analysis of data on juveniles processed in the Arizona court system is ongoing in order to
identify the treatment needs of juveniles, to determine what works in meeting those needs and
obtaining the best outcomes, how to allocate resources in a cost effective manner, and how to
work most effectively with local communities to provide for public safety. Information from this
report and others, in addition to past and ongoing studies, is important for public policy makers,
juvenile justice professionals, and Arizona’s citizens to understand, formulate, and address
current and future juvenile justice issues.
JUVENILE JUSTICE FLOW CHART
3
Delinquent/
Incorrigible Act
Arraignment
Trial
Remand to Adult Advisory Hearing
Court
Petition Filed as a
Transfer Hearing Juvenile
Direct Filing as an
Adult
Referral to Court
(Petition)
Action by Police,
Parent and School
County Attorney
Review
Diversion
Dismiss
Adjust after
Consequences
Other Agency
Diversion
Dismissal
Commitment to AZ
Department of
Juvenile Corrections
Disposition Hearing
Other Sanctions Probation
Standard/Intensive
Adjudication
Hearing
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ARIZONA JUVENILE COURT ACTIVITY FY00
4
ADJC
1,996 Referrals
1,290 Juveniles
Intake: Received by Probation Department
77,551 Referrals
48,534 Juveniles
Referrals (Physical)
15,106 Referrals
11,417 Juveniles
Referrals (Paper)
62,439 Referrals
42,865 Juveniles
Direct Files in Adult Court
697 Referrals
615 Juveniles
Diversion
25,281 Referrals
21,776 Juveniles
Petitions Filed
33,280 Referrals
20,204 Juveniles
Transfer to Adult Court
185 Referrals
147 Juveniles
Dismissed
13,361 Referrals
10,330 Juveniles
Penalty Only
816 Referrals
765 Juveniles
Standard Probation
14,433 Referrals
10,830 Juveniles
JIPS
4,711 Referrals
2,552 Juveniles
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5
Referrals, Petitions Filed, and Juveniles Referred and Petitioned
Fiscal Years 1995 - 2000
78,595
46,971
23,304
14,257
86,617
50,820
27,280
16,384
84,504
50,210
30,102
17,733
84,719
51,009
31,222
18,496
77,651
48,246
29,669
18,186
77,551
48,534
33,280
20,204
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 FY00
Referrals Juveniles Referred Petitions Juveniles Petitioned
6
The Number of Juveniles Dispositioned to Probation, Intensive Probation, ADJC and Adult Court
Fiscal Years 1995 - 2000
6,980
1,651
1,248
565
8,197
2,154
1,178
663
8,989
2,408
1,419
712
9,436
2,718
1,670
1,083
9,199
2,572
1,345
883
10,830
2,552
1,290
762
-
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
FY95 FY96 FY97 FY98 FY99 FY00
Standard Probation Intensive Probation ADJC Adult Court
7
JUVENILES REFERRED TO THE ARIZONA SUPERIOR COURT SYSTEM IN FY00
This section on Juveniles Referred to the Arizona Superior Court System reflects the
characteristics of those juveniles, ages 8 through 17, who came into contact with the system in
FY00. The juveniles are those for whom a report was submitted to the Juvenile Court alleging
that the youth committed a delinquent or incorrigible behavior or act.
Referrals can be made by police, parents, school officials, probation officers, other agencies or
individuals requesting that the Juvenile Court assume jurisdiction over the youth’s conduct.
Referrals can be “paper referrals” issued as citations or police reports to the Juvenile Court or
“physical referrals” in which the juvenile is physically brought to the Juvenile Court.
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Referred FY00
Apache 365 0.75%
Cochise 1,651 3.40%
Coconino 1,873 3.86%
Gila 985 2.03%
Graham 521 1.07%
Greenlee 104 0.21%
La Paz 135 0.28%
Maricopa 23,133 47.66%
Mohave 1,898 3.91%
Navajo 1,308 2.70%
Pima 9,787 20.17%
Pinal 2,056 4.24%
Santa Cruz 764 1.57%
Yavapai 1,844 3.80%
Yuma 2,110 4.35%
TOTAL 48,534 100.00%
8
Gender: Referred FY00
Male 32,372 66.70%
Female 16,160 33.30%
Unknown 2 0.00%
TOTAL 48,534 100.00%
Age: Referred FY00
8 252 0.52%
9 485 1.00%
10 790 1.63%
11 1,333 2.75%
12 2,414 4.97%
13 4,596 9.47%
14 7,264 14.97%
15 9,038 18.62%
16 10,031 20.67%
17 11,797 24.31%
Unknown 534 1.10%
TOTAL 48,534 100.00%
Ethnicity: Referred FY00
Hispanic 17,335 35.72%
African American 3,070 6.33%
Anglo 24,468 50.41%
Native American 2,829 5.83%
Asian/Pacific Islander 301 0.62%
Other 172 0.35%
Unknown 359 0.74%
TOTAL 48,534 100.00%
Education Status: Referred FY00
Enrolled 32,032 66.00%
Not Enrolled 3,087 6.36%
Expelled 116 0.24%
Suspended 114 0.23%
Withdrawn 269 0.55%
Graduated 47 0.10%
GED Program 23 0.05%
Unknown 12,846 26.47%
TOTAL 48,534 100.00%
67
33 36
6
50
6
20
34
45
66
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Juveniles Referred FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
9
Number of Prior Referrals:
Referred FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Referred FY00
0 22,649 46.67% Felonies Against Person 2,491 5.13%
1 8,618 17.76% Felonies Against Property 5,727 11.80%
2 4,698 9.68% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 4,376 9.02%
3 3,035 6.25% Misdemeanors Against Person 4,483 9.24%
4 2,061 4.25% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 4,459 9.19%
5 1,474 3.04% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 10,861 22.38%
6 1,138 2.34% Misdemeanors Against Property 7,313 15.07%
7 912 1.88% Status Offenses 8,591 17.70%
8 or more 3,949 8.14% Citations/Administrative 233 0.48%
TOTAL 48,534 100.00% TOTAL 48,534 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Referred FY00
Felony 14,353 29.57%
Misdemeanor 22,782 46.94%
Administrative 2,319 4.78%
Status 8,596 17.71%
Other 484 1.00%
TOTAL 48,534 100.00%
47
34
20
30
47
18
14
27
0
10
20
30
40
50
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Juveniles Referred FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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10
JUVENILES DIVERTED IN FY00
Diversion allows a juvenile to avoid formal court processing and to have their offense adjusted if
the juvenile completes one or more conditions. To adjust is to dispose of a case without the
juvenile being required to go to court. If a referral is adjusted, a petition is not filed. The
petition is a document filed by the county attorney, which seeks to have a juvenile adjudicated as
a delinquent or incorrigible child. The conditions to be completed are the consequences assigned
in response to the juvenile’s behavior.
Prior to fiscal year 1998, the Progressively Increasing Consequence Act or “PIC-ACT” allowed
juveniles referred to the juvenile court for first and second time misdemeanor referrals to be
diverted from formal court processing, if certain conditions were met. Beginning in fiscal year
1998, modifications to A.R.S. § 8-321 significantly changed the criteria determining which
juveniles could be diverted and the way those cases are processed. The major statutory
requirements are briefly summarized as follows:
4 The county attorney has the sole discretion to divert the prosecution of a juvenile
accused of committing an incorrigible or delinquent act to a community based alternative
program operated by the county attorney or to a diversion program administered by the
Juvenile Court. A juvenile identified as a chronic or violent offender, or who is alleged
to have violated A.R.S. § 28-692 (DUI) is not eligible for diversion.
4 The juvenile probation officer is required to submit a referral to the county attorney for
alleged offenses that have been identified as not eligible for diversion. The county
attorney is able to return a case to the juvenile probation officer for further action if
prosecution is declined.
4 The juvenile probation officer is mandated to conduct an interview with a juvenile
diverted to the Juvenile Court and the juvenile’s parent(s) or guardian. If, during the
interview, the juvenile acknowledges responsibility for the offense (based on the
referral), the probation/intake officer may choose to begin the process of adjusting the
referral. Adjustment of the referral can occur only after the juvenile completes one or
more conditions (consequences), as assigned by the probation/intake officer. The
consequences could be one or more of the following:
1. Participation in unpaid community service work.
2. Participation in a counseling program, which is designed to strengthen family
relationships and to prevent repetitive juvenile delinquency.
3. Participation in an education program, approved by the court, which has as its goal
the prevention of further delinquent behavior.
11
4. Participation in an education program, approved by the court, which is designed to
deal with ancillary problems experienced by the juvenile, such as alcohol or drug
abuse.
5. Participation in a non-residential program of rehabilitation or supervision offered by
the court or offered by the community youth serving agency and approved by the
court.
6. Payment of restitution to the victim of the delinquent act.
7. Payment of a monetary assessment.
4 The county attorney or the Juvenile Court, in cooperation with the county attorney, can
establish community based alternative programs. Community based alternative programs
and diversion programs must ensure that the participation of both the juvenile and victim
are voluntary, and that the juvenile accepts responsibility for the delinquent or
incorrigible act.
4 The participants in a community based alternative program agree on any legally
reasonable consequence for the juvenile offender, with the exception of confinement.
The program participants, juvenile and juvenile’s parents(s) or guardian and victim may
sign a written contract agreeing on resolution of the matter in which the parent(s) or
guardian agree to ensure that the juvenile complies with the contract.
4 If a juvenile complies with the consequences set forth by the probation officer or
community based alternative program, the county attorney will not file a petition in
Juvenile Court.
12
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Diverted FY00
Apache 135 0.62%
Cochise 1,017 4.67%
Coconino 990 4.55%
Gila 455 2.09%
Graham 277 1.27%
Greenlee 38 0.17%
La Paz 75 0.34%
Maricopa 9,618 44.17%
Mohave 865 3.97%
Navajo 328 1.51%
Pima 4,923 22.61%
Pinal 903 4.15%
Santa Cruz 228 1.05%
Yavapai 991 4.55%
Yuma 933 4.28
TOTAL 21,776 100.00%
13
Gender: Diverted FY00
Male 13,305 61.10%
Female 8,470 38.90%
Unknown 1 0.00%
TOTAL 21,776 100.00%
Age: Diverted FY00
8 142 0.65%
9 269 1.24%
10 439 2.02%
11 789 3.62%
12 1,463 6.72%
13 2,705 12.42%
14 3,965 18.21%
15 4,479 20.57%
16 4,161 19.11%
17 3,326 15.27%
Unknown 38 0.17%
TOTAL 21,776 100.00%
Ethnicity: Diverted FY00
Hispanic 7,589 34.85%
African American 1,153 5.29%
Anglo 11,490 52.76%
Native American 1,074 4.93%
Asian/Pacific Islander 161 0.74%
Other 75 0.34%
Unknown 234 1.07%
TOTAL 21,776 100.00%
Education Status: Diverted FY00
Enrolled 15,163 69.63%
Not Enrolled 567 2.60%
Expelled 16 0.07%
Suspended 36 0.17%
Withdrawn 37 0.17%
Graduated 8 0.04%
GED Program 5 0.02%
Unknown 5,944 27.30%
TOTAL 21,776 100.00%
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
61
39
35
5
53
5
27
39
34
70
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Juveniles Diverted FY 2000 (percent)
14
Number of Prior Referrals:
Diverted FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Diverted FY00
0 13,654 62.70% Felonies Against Person 229 1.05%
1 4,389 20.16% Felonies Against Property 1,062 4.88%
2 1,686 7.74% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 345 1.58%
3 667 3.06% Misdemeanors Against Person 1,926 8.84%
4 391 1.80% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 1,768 8.12%
5 241 1.11% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 5,397 24.78%
6 142 0.65% Misdemeanors Against Property 5,381 24.71%
7 132 0.61% Status Offenses 5,662 26.00%
8 or more 474 2.18% Citations/Administrative 6 0.03%
TOTAL 21,776 100.00% TOTAL 21,776 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Diverted FY00
Felony 3,237 14.86%
Misdemeanor 12,448 57.16%
Administrative 314 1.44%
Status 5,664 26.01%
Other 113 0.52%
TOTAL 21,776 100.00%
63
31
6
15
57
26
10
30
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Juveniles Diverted FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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15
JUVENILES WITH PETITIONS FILED IN FY00
A petition is a legal document filed in the juvenile court alleging that a referred juvenile is a
delinquent, incorrigible, or dependent child and requesting the court to assume jurisdiction over
the youth. The petition initiates the formal court hearing process of the juvenile court, and is
prepared by the county attorney, who determines what charges to bring against the juvenile.
Juveniles Processed reports petition data on delinquent and incorrigible youth only5.
A youth, under the age of 18, has committed a delinquent act if that same act committed by an
adult would be a criminal offense. An incorrigible youth is one who commits an offense, which
would not be considered a crime if he or she were an adult. Typically, incorrigible youth are
juveniles who are habitually truant from school, run away from home, or violate curfew. In
addition, juveniles who refuse to obey the reasonable and proper direction of their parents or
guardians can be considered incorrigible.
Information on dependent youth can be found in the Administrative Office of the Courts,
Dependent Children’s Services Division, and the Foster Care Review Board Annual Report.
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Petitions Filed FY00
Apache 142 0.70%
Cochise 420 2.08%
Coconino 536 2.65%
Gila 367 1.82%
Graham 266 1.32%
Greenlee 49 0.24%
La Paz 36 0.18%
Maricopa 10,921 54.05%
Mohave 568 2.81%
Navajo 445 2.20%
Pima 3,193 15.80%
Pinal 1,106 5.47%
Santa Cruz 515 2.55%
Yavapai 716 3.54%
Yuma 924 4.57%
TOTAL 20,204 100.00%
16
Gender: Petitions Filed FY00
Male 15,017 74.33%
Female 5,186 25.67%
Unknown 1 0.00%
TOTAL 20,204 100.00%
Age: Petitions Filed FY00
8 36 0.18%
9 139 0.69%
10 229 1.13%
11 405 2.00%
12 844 4.18%
13 1,774 8.78%
14 2,993 14.81%
15 4,037 19.98%
16 4,598 22.76%
17 5,121 25.35%
Unknown 28 0.14%
TOTAL 20,204 100.00%
Ethnicity: Petitions Filed FY00
Hispanic 7,843 38.82%
African American 1,567 7.76%
Anglo 9,381 46.43%
Native American 1,166 5.77%
Asian/Pacific Islander 107 0.53%
Other 81 0.40%
Unknown 59 0.29%
TOTAL 20,204 100.00%
Education Status: Petitions Filed FY00
Enrolled 14,420 71.37%
Not Enrolled 1,984 9.82%
Expelled 71 0.35%
Suspended 66 0.33%
Withdrawn 148 0.73%
Graduated 20 0.10%
GED Program 12 0.06%
Unknown 3,483 17.24%
TOTAL 20,204 100.00%
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
74
26
39
8
46
6
17
35
48
71
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Petitions Filed FY 2000 (percent)
17
Number of Prior Referrals:
Petitions Filed FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Petitions Filed FY00
0 5,139 25.44% Felonies Against Person 1,435 7.10%
1 3,328 16.47% Felonies Against Property 3,939 19.50%
2 2,592 12.83% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 4,172 20.65%
3 2,092 10.35% Misdemeanors Against Person 2,190 10.84%
4 1,476 7.31% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 2,148 10.63%
5 1,105 5.47% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 3,055 15.12%
6 873 4.32% Misdemeanors Against Property 1,664 8.24%
7 702 3.47% Status Offenses 1,572 7.78%
8 or more 2,897 14.34% Citations/Administrative 29 0.14%
TOTAL 20,204 100.00% TOTAL 20,204 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Petitions Filed FY00
Felony 8,362 41.39%
Misdemeanor 8,037 39.78%
Administrative 2,144 10.61%
Status 1,578 7.81%
Other 83 0.41%
TOTAL 20,204 100.00%
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
25
40
35
41 40
8
18
28
0
10
20
30
40
50
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Petitions Filed FY 2000 (percent)
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18
JUVENILES WITH DISPOSITIONS OF DISMISSED IN FY00
Referrals and petitions against juveniles can be dismissed. Dismissal means that further
consideration or hearings regarding the charge are discontinued or discharged and further action
is not taken5.
Dismissal of petitions can occur during the advisory or adjudication hearing process. It is
possible that the charge could be dismissed for lack of evidence during either of these hearings.
Similarly, a juvenile could have more than one charge pending. In this situation, the juvenile's
attorney could initiate a process with the county attorney, which could result in dismissal of one
charge while receiving some disposition (i.e., penalty only, probation, JIPS, or commitment to
ADJC) on a second charge.
Non-petition referrals can also be dismissed. Dismissal may occur for such reasons as the
juvenile cannot be located, or is transferred to another jurisdiction prior to adjudication, or the
county attorney did not file (e.g., the victim refused prosecution).
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Disposition of Dismissed FY00
Apache 95 0.92%
Cochise 165 1.60%
Coconino 225 2.18%
Gila 159 1.54%
Graham 70 0.68%
Greenlee 27 0.26%
La Paz 48 0.46%
Maricopa 6,952 67.30%
Mohave 199 1.93%
Navajo 176 1.70%
Pima 1,043 10.10%
Pinal 481 4.66%
Santa Cruz 166 1.61%
Yavapai 206 1.99%
Yuma 318 3.08%
TOTAL 10,330 100.00%
19
Gender: Dismissed FY00
Male 7,417 71.80%
Female 2,912 28.19%
Unknown 1 0.01%
TOTAL 10,330 100.00%
Age: Dismissed FY00
8 10 0.10%
9 58 0.56%
10 105 1.02%
11 191 1.85%
12 383 3.71%
13 716 6.93%
14 1,251 12.11%
15 1,754 16.98%
16 2,217 21.46%
17 2,762 26.74%
Unknown 883 8.55%
TOTAL 10,330 100.00%
Ethnicity: Dismissed FY00
Hispanic 4,221 40.86%
African American 830 8.03%
Anglo 4,435 42.93%
Native American 492 4.76%
Asian/Pacific Islander 32 0.31%
Other 180 1.74%
Unknown 140 1.36%
TOTAL 10,330 100.00%
Education Status: Dismissed FY00
Enrolled 6,484 62.77%
Not Enrolled 1,248 12.08%
Expelled 31 0.30%
Suspended 29 0.28%
Withdrawn 51 0.49%
Graduated 7 0.07%
GED Program 6 0.06%
Unknown 2,474 23.95%
TOTAL 10,330 100.00%
72
28
41
8
43
5
14
29
48
63
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Disposition Dismissed FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
20
Number of Prior Referrals:
Dismissed FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Dismissed FY00
0 2,984 28.89% Felonies Against Person 444 4.30%
1 1,697 16.43% Felonies Against Property 818 7.92%
2 1,212 11.73% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 1,224 11.85%
3 934 9.04% Misdemeanors Against Person 810 7.84%
4 677 6.55% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 596 5.77%
5 581 5.62% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 3,046 29.49%
6 410 3.97% Misdemeanors Against Property 769 7.44%
7 393 3.80% Status Offenses 2,617 25.33%
8 or more 1,442 13.96% Citations/Administrative 6 0.06%
TOTAL 10,330 100.00% TOTAL 10,330 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Dismissed FY00
Felony 2,029 19.64%
Misdemeanor 4,674 45.25%
Administrative 877 8.49%
Status 2,619 25.35%
Other 131 1.27%
TOTAL 10,330 100.00%
29
37
34
20
45
25
12
15
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Disposition Dismissed FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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21
JUVENILES WITH DISPOSITIONS OF PENALTY ONLY IN FY00
Adjudicated juveniles may receive a disposition of penalty only. Typically, there is judicial
discretion in the nature of the assigned penalty. Penalties may include but are not limited to
monetary fines, community service work, and/or participation in various treatment programs to
change the juvenile’s behavior. Juveniles with dispositions of penalty only are not assigned to a
diversion program, nor are they placed on standard probation, Juvenile Intensive Probation
Supervision (JIPS), or committed to the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections.
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Disposition of Penalty Only FY00
Apache 1 0.13%
Cochise 30 3.92%
Coconino 59 7.71%
Gila 4 0.52%
Graham 0 0.00%
Greenlee 0 0.00%
La Paz 1 0.13%
Maricopa 457 59.74%
Mohave 0 0.00%
Navajo 16 2.09%
Pima 73 9.54%
Pinal 40 5.23%
Santa Cruz 40 5.23%
Yavapai 9 1.18%
Yuma 35 4.58%
TOTAL 765 100.00%
22
Gender: Penalty Only FY00
Male 570 74.51%
Female 195 25.49%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 765 100.00%
Age: Penalty Only FY00
8 1 0.13%
9 1 0.13%
10 2 0.26%
11 5 0.65%
12 15 1.96%
13 28 3.66%
14 72 9.41%
15 88 11.50%
16 138 18.04%
17 394 51.50%
Unknown 21 2.75%
TOTAL 765 100.00%
Ethnicity: Penalty Only FY00
Hispanic 335 43.79%
African American 47 6.14%
Anglo 323 42.22%
Native American 53 6.93%
Asian/Pacific Islander 3 0.39%
Other 4 0.52%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 765 100.00%
Education Status: Penalty Only FY00
Enrolled 485 63.40%
Not Enrolled 104 13.59%
Expelled 5 0.65%
Suspended 1 0.13%
Withdrawn 5 0.65%
Graduated 1 0.13%
GED Program 3 0.39%
Unknown 161 21.05%
TOTAL 765 100.00%
75
25
44
6
42
7 7
21
70
63
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Disposition Penalty Only FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
23
Number of Prior Referrals:
Penalty Only FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Penalty Only FY00
0 169 22.09% Felonies Against Person 17 2.22%
1 131 17.12% Felonies Against Property 48 6.27%
2 121 15.82% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 93 12.16%
3 93 12.16% Misdemeanors Against Person 53 6.93%
4 47 6.14% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 53 6.93%
5 41 5.36% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 250 32.68%
6 39 5.10% Misdemeanors Against Property 75 9.80%
7 25 3.27% Status Offenses 175 22.88%
8 or more 99 12.94% Citations/Administrative 1 0.13%
TOTAL 765 100.00% TOTAL 765 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Penalty Only FY00
Felony 135 17.65%
Misdemeanor 357 46.67%
Administrative 81 10.59%
Status 175 22.88%
Other 17 2.22%
TOTAL 765 100.00%
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
22
45
33
18
47
23
9
16
0
10
20
30
40
50
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Penalty Only FY 2000 (percent)
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24
JUVENILES WITH DISPOSITIONS OF STANDARD PROBATION IN FY00
Probation is defined as conditional freedom granted by the juvenile court to an adjudicated
juvenile on the condition of continued good behavior and regular reporting to a probation officer.
The core tenets of juvenile probation are: the belief that youth can make positive changes in
their behavior, protection of the community, preservation of the best interest of the child and
stability of the family unit, fostering law-abiding behavior, and restitution to victims and society
for the wrongs committed against them.
Juveniles placed on probation must comply with certain terms and conditions. Although every
probation treatment plan is customized to address the needs of each individual juvenile, some
standard terms and conditions apply to all cases. The standard terms and conditions include
scheduled contacts with a probation officer, maintaining law abiding behavior, and paying
restitution to the victim. Additional terms may also be imposed depending on individual juvenile
needs, such as: mandatory drug testing, curfew, school attendance, restitution, community
service hours, painting over graffiti, letters of apology, attendance at counseling or treatment
sessions, and restrictions on acquaintances.
Once a juvenile has been placed on probation, the juvenile probation officer monitors the
juvenile's compliance with the terms and conditions of their probation. The probation officer
works closely with the juvenile and their family as well as members of the community including
teachers, victims, treatment providers and others involved in the life of the juvenile and their
family. The court can impose multiple restrictions and provide resources to help the juvenile. If
the youth does not choose to comply, the probation officer will refer the juvenile back to the
court. The court may in turn impose more severe liberty restrictions, including detention.
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25
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Disposition of Standard Probation FY00
Apache 75 0.69%
Cochise 161 1.49%
Coconino 317 2.93%
Gila 205 1.89%
Graham 156 1.44%
Greenlee 32 0.30%
La Paz 27 0.25%
Maricopa 6,088 56.21%
Mohave 263 2.43%
Navajo 322 2.97%
Pima 1,798 16.60%
Pinal 306 2.83%
Santa Cruz 292 2.70%
Yavapai 344 3.18%
Yuma 444 4.10%
TOTAL 10,830 100.00%
26
Gender: Standard Probation FY00
Male 8,010 73.96%
Female 2,820 26.04%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 10,830 100.00%
Age: Standard Probation FY00
8 6 0.06%
9 17 0.16%
10 67 0.62%
11 136 1.26%
12 382 3.53%
13 952 8.79%
14 1,656 15.29%
15 2,295 21.19%
16 2,524 23.31%
17 2,783 25.70%
Unknown 12 0.11%
TOTAL 10,830 100.00%
Ethnicity: Standard Probation FY00
Hispanic 3,924 36.23%
African American 765 7.06%
Anglo 5,367 49.56%
Native American 655 6.05%
Asian/Pacific Islander 61 0.56%
Other 44 0.41%
Unknown 14 0.13%
TOTAL 10,830 100.00%
Education Status: Standard Probation FY00
Enrolled 8,282 76.47%
Not Enrolled 863 7.97%
Expelled 43 0.40%
Suspended 49 0.45%
Withdrawn 52 0.48%
Graduated 12 0.11%
GED Program 2 0.02%
Unknown 1,527 14.10%
TOTAL 10,830 100.00%
74
26
36
7
50
6
14
36
49
76
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Disposition Standard Probation FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
27
Number of Prior Referrals:
Standard Probation FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Standard Probation FY00
0 2,704 24.97% Felonies Against Person 817 7.54%
1 1,965 18.14% Felonies Against Property 2,306 21.29%
2 1,743 16.09% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 1,896 17.51%
3 1,298 11.99% Misdemeanors Against Person 1,050 9.70%
4 863 7.97% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 1,575 14.54%
5 591 5.46% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 1,397 12.90%
6 407 3.76% Misdemeanors Against Property 943 8.71%
7 330 3.05% Status Offenses 690 6.37%
8 or more 929 8.58% Citations/Administrative 156 1.44%
TOTAL 10,830 100.00% TOTAL 10,830 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Standard Probation FY00
Felony 5,326 49.18%
Misdemeanor 3,573 32.99%
Administrative 1,020 9.42%
Status 695 6.42%
Other 216 1.99%
TOTAL 10,830 100.00%
25
46
29
49
33
6
17
30
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Disposition Standard Probation FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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28
JUVENILES WITH DISPOSITIONS OF JIPS IN FY00
Juvenile Intensive Probation Supervision (JIPS) is a sentencing consequence used by the juvenile
court judges for those youth who are in need of frequent supervision and a highly structured
program. The program was enacted into law in 1987. The intent of this legislation was to create
a program which would allow juvenile delinquents to remain at home, under supervision, rather
than be placed in either a residential treatment facility or the Arizona Department of Juvenile
Corrections (ADJC). Financial considerations weighed heavily in the formation of the program,
as JIPS is a less costly alternative to ADJC or residential treatment.
JIPS differs from standard probation in the increased frequency of face to face contacts, the
requirement to actively participate in 32 hours of structured activities per week, the liberty
restrictions concerning unsupervised time out of the home, the frequency of drug testing on
demand, and the lower caseload ratio. Additional information about the program is available in
the JIPS Annual Report. The figures reported in the JIPS Annual Report may differ from those
reported in Juveniles Processed because the JIPS Annual Report includes all juveniles whose
cases were active during the fiscal year. The Juveniles Processed report includes only juveniles
dispositioned to JIPS during the fiscal year.
Disposition or placement on JIPS is usually reserved for certain situations. Specifically, only
juveniles who are adjudicated for delinquent acts or for violations of probation originating from a
delinquent act are eligible for JIPS. The first type of youth placed in the program is one who
would otherwise have been recommended for placement in an out-of-home institutional or
residential setting. The second type of youth is one who, when considering the nature of the
offense, their prior delinquent history, or risk to the community, have demonstrated a need for a
highly structured, closely supervised program of probation emphasizing surveillance, education,
work, and home detention. A third discreet category of youth placed on JIPS are those
adjudicated for a second felony offense. In these cases, the Juvenile Court is limited to the three
choices cited in A.R.S. § 8-341. These options are JIPS, ADJC or prosecution as an adult.
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29
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Disposition of JIPS FY00
Apache 23 0.90%
Cochise 103 4.04%
Coconino 57 2.23%
Gila 50 1.96%
Graham 33 1.29%
Greenlee 12 0.47%
La Paz 7 0.27%
Maricopa 1,195 46.83%
Mohave 122 4.78%
Navajo 56 2.19%
Pima 360 14.11%
Pinal 123 4.82%
Santa Cruz 48 1.88%
Yavapai 118 4.62%
Yuma 245 9.60%
TOTAL 2,552 100.00%
30
Gender: JIPS FY00
Male 2,192 85.89%
Female 360 14.11%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 2,552 100.00%
Age: JIPS FY00
8 1 0.04%
9 1 0.04%
10 3 0.12%
11 9 0.35%
12 45 1.76%
13 174 6.82%
14 379 14.85%
15 555 21.75%
16 687 26.92%
17 694 27.19%
Unknown 4 0.16%
TOTAL 2,552 100.00%
Ethnicity: JIPS FY00
Hispanic 1,099 43.06%
African American 182 7.13%
Anglo 1,154 45.22%
Native American 104 4.08%
Asian/Pacific Islander 7 0.27%
Other 6 0.24%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 2,552 100.00%
Education Status: JIPS FY00
Enrolled 1,937 75.90%
Not Enrolled 310 12.15%
Expelled 16 0.63%
Suspended 15 0.59%
Withdrawn 25 0.98%
Graduated 2 0.08%
GED Program 4 0.16%
Unknown 243 9.52%
TOTAL 2,552 100.00%
86
14
43
7
45
4 9
37
54
76
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Disposition JIPS FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
31
Number of Prior Referrals:
JIPS FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
JIPS FY00
0 105 4.11% Felonies Against Person 220 8.62%
1 147 5.76% Felonies Against Property 681 26.68%
2 209 8.19% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 1,115 43.69%
3 246 9.64% Misdemeanors Against Person 117 4.58%
4 266 10.42% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 184 7.21%
5 265 10.38% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 152 5.96%
6 252 9.87% Misdemeanors Against Property 70 2.74%
7 206 8.07% Status Offenses 4 0.16%
8 or more 856 33.54% Citations/Administrative 9 0.35%
TOTAL 2,552 100.00% TOTAL 2,552 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
JIPS FY00
Felony 1,277 50.04%
Misdemeanor 479 18.77%
Administrative 782 30.64%
Status 4 0.16%
Other 10 0.39%
TOTAL 2,552 100.00%
4
24
72
50
19
0
13
29
0
20
40
60
80
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Disposition JIPS FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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32
JUVENILES WITH DISPOSITIONS TO ADJC IN FY00
In 1995 the process of committing juveniles to the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
(ADJC) was substantially changed. Arizona Revised Statutes § 8-246(C), as amended, mandate:
1) the use of risk and needs assessment to determine appropriate disposition of juveniles; 2)
development of commitment guidelines for use by juvenile court judges for dispositions of
juveniles to ADJC; and 3) development of length of stay guidelines consistent with treatment and
public safety concerns.
The primary purpose of the commitment guidelines is to clearly prescribe factors the court must
consider, in addition to other facts relevant, when committing youth to the care and custody of
ADJC. These guidelines are offense-based and also take into account the juvenile's history of
delinquency. The legislative intent is that commitment to ADJC should be reserved for those
juveniles whom the court believes need treatment in secure care for the protection of the public.
The guidelines are not applicable for juveniles who are transferred to adult court for prosecution
and sentencing6.
The guidelines identify the following offenders for commitment to ADJC:
1. Serious Offenders: One who is adjudicated for a "serious" offense as set forth in A.R.S.
§ 13-604: 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault
resulting in serious physical injury or involving the discharge, use or threatening
exhibition of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, sexual assault, any dangerous
crime against children*, arson of an occupied structure, armed robbery, burglary in the
1st degree, kidnapping, or sexual conduct with a minor under fifteen years of age.
*A "dangerous crime against children" is defined as any of the following
committed against a minor under fifteen years of age: molestation, sexual
conduct with a minor, commercial sexual exploitation, child abuse,
kidnapping, sexual abuse, taking a child for prostitution, involving or using
minors in drug offenses.
2. Violent Offenders: One who is adjudicated for intentionally inflicting physical injury on
a victim or who discharges, uses or exhibits in a threatening manner any deadly weapon
in the commission of an offense, or who, based upon present or past behavior, and in the
opinion of expert(s), exhibits a propensity toward violence and requires secure care.
3. Repetitive Offenders: One who is adjudicated on prior and separate occasions for at
least two felony offenses within a two year period, or adjudicated on at least five prior
and separate occasions for misdemeanor offenses within a two year period or who is
adjudicated for any offense committed while on parole from ADJC.
4. Serious Drug Offenders: One who is adjudicated for an offense involving the sale of a
narcotic or dangerous drug.
33
5. Probation Violators: Any person who has been placed on probation for a serious,
violent, repetitive, or a serious drug offense who subsequently violates a condition of
probation.
The guidelines specifically exclude commitment of:
1. Nuisance Offenders: Juveniles who commit only incorrigible offenses, non-repetitive
misdemeanor offenders, and juveniles committing only technical probation violations
while on probation for something other than a violent, serious, repetitive or serious drug
offense should not be considered for commitment. A nuisance offender also includes the
juvenile who refuses to follow anyone's rules or structure, yet does not commit offenses
that would make him/her eligible for commitment under the criteria set forth in
guidelines 1 through 5 above.
2. Mentally Ill/Emotionally Handicapped Offenders: The mentally ill/emotionally
handicapped offender is a juvenile who has a clearly identified mental illness or
emotional disorder and who is mainly considered to be a danger to himself or herself, and
does not meet any of the criteria for commitment as set forth in guidelines 1 through 5
above.
34
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Disposition ADJC FY00
Apache 12 0.93%
Cochise 44 3.41%
Coconino 20 1.55%
Gila 16 1.24%
Graham 12 0.93%
Greenlee 0 0.00%
La Paz 3 0.23%
Maricopa 569 44.11%
Mohave 42 3.26%
Navajo 20 1.55%
Pima 361 27.98%
Pinal 94 7.29%
Santa Cruz 16 1.24%
Yavapai 28 2.17%
Yuma 53 4.11%
TOTAL 1,290 100.00%
35
Gender: Disposition ADJC FY00
Male 1,123 87.05%
Female 167 12.95%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 1,290 100.00%
Age: Disposition ADJC FY00
8 0 0.00%
9 0 0.00%
10 0 0.00%
11 0 0.00%
12 13 1.01%
13 56 4.34%
14 141 10.93%
15 278 21.55%
16 391 30.31%
17 411 31.86%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 1,290 100.00%
Ethnicity: Disposition ADJC FY00
Hispanic 592 45.89%
African American 133 10.31%
Anglo 488 37.83%
Native American 70 5.43%
Asian/Pacific Islander 4 0.31%
Other 3 0.23%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 1,290 100.00%
Education Status: Disposition ADJC FY00
Enrolled 807 62.56%
Not Enrolled 296 22.95%
Expelled 14 1.09%
Suspended 14 1.09%
Withdrawn 26 2.02%
Graduated 1 0.08%
GED Program 2 0.16%
Unknown 130 10.08%
TOTAL 1,290 100.00%
87
13
46
10
38
5 5
32
62 63
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Disposition ADJC FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
36
Number of Prior Referrals:
Disposition ADJC FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Disposition ADJC FY00
0 47 3.64% Felonies Against Person 140 10.85%
1 25 1.94% Felonies Against Property 308 23.88%
2 35 2.71% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 548 42.48%
3 56 4.34% Misdemeanors Against Person 72 5.58%
4 64 4.96% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 93 7.21%
5 72 5.58% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 83 6.43%
6 94 7.29% Misdemeanors Against Property 44 3.41%
7 102 7.91% Status Offenses 0 0.00%
8 or more 795 61.63% Citations/Administrative 2 0.16%
TOTAL 1,290 100.00% TOTAL 1,290 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Disposition ADJC FY00
Felony 655 50.78%
Misdemeanor 244 18.91%
Administrative 389 30.16%
Status 0 0.00%
Other 2 0.16%
TOTAL 1,290 100.00%
4 9
87
51
19
0
16
27
0
20
40
60
80
100
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Disposition ADJC FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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37
JUVENILES DIRECT FILED IN AND TRANSFERRED TO ADULT COURT IN FY00
Statutory provisions specify circumstances for trying juveniles as if they were adults in criminal
court. Juveniles may be either direct filed in or transferred to adult court. The provisions are
summarized below, with more detail in the two sections that follow. This section provides an
overview of these two groups of youth.
Juveniles Direct Filed in Adult Court
Juveniles Transferred to Adult Court
The circumstances for trying juveniles as if they were adults are presented here as pathways to
adult court. Essentially, five pathways have been identified. They are briefly described below.
The numbers of youth who were filed in adult court through one of these pathways are presented
on the next page. Since the Direct Filed section and the transfer section include all dispositions
specific to those sections, the tables in this section may include duplicates1.
Pathways to Adult Court
4 Mandatory: Juveniles ages 15, 16, or 17 who commit a specified violent crime must be
filed in adult court.
4 Mandatory Prior: Juveniles previously convicted in adult court must be returned to adult
court for any subsequent crimes or violations of probation.
4 Chronic: Juveniles ages 15, 16 or 17 who have two prior felony adjudications in juvenile
court and are arrested for a third felony must go to adult court.
4 Discretion of County Attorney: Juveniles who are 14 and a chronic offender or are 14 or
older and commit one of a list of specified offenses may be filed in adult court.
4 Transfer: Juveniles who do not meet the above criteria may still be transferred by the
juvenile court depending on a number of factors such as the type and severity of the
offense and the juvenile’s record and previous history. The county attorney may request
an order of the juvenile court, transferring jurisdiction to the criminal division of the
Superior Court for prosecution of any juvenile charged with a felony.
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38
Pathways for Juveniles Filed in Adult Court FY00
Pathways Number of Juveniles % of Total
Transfer 147 19.29%
Mandatory 251 32.94%
Mandatory - Prior 47 6.17%
Chronic 80 10.50%
Discretionary 237 31.10%
TOTAL 762 100.00%
County: Direct Filed in and Transferred to Adult Court FY00
Apache 1 0.13%
Cochise 8 1.05%
Coconino 11 1.44%
Gila 14 1.84%
Graham 15 1.97%
Greenlee 0 0.00%
La Paz 2 0.26%
Maricopa 477 62.60%
Mohave 17 2.23%
Navajo 10 1.31%
Pima 137 17.98%
Pinal 38 4.99%
Santa Cruz 3 0.40%
Yavapai 18 2.36%
Yuma 11 1.44%
TOTAL 762 100.00%
39
JUVENILES DIRECT FILED IN ADULT COURT IN FY00
The fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997 brought dramatic changes to the Juvenile Justice System
due to the passage of Proposition 102 in November 1996 and the subsequent enabling legislation
effective July 21, 1997. Among the provisions of the constitutional amendment was the
prosecution as an adult of any juvenile age 15 or older accused of murder, forcible sexual assault,
armed robbery or other violent offenses. Direct filings of juveniles in adult court in FY97 were
restricted to juveniles who were charged with murder, forcible sexual assault and armed robbery.
The addition of filings of juveniles in adult court for “other violent offenses” is based on the
definitions contained in the enabling legislation, Senate Bill 1446.
Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-501 mandates that the “county attorney shall bring criminal
prosecution against a juvenile in the same manner as an adult if the juvenile is fifteen, sixteen, or
seventeen years of age and is accused of any of the following offenses”:
1. First degree murder;
2. Second degree murder;
3. Forcible sexual assault;
4. Armed robbery;
5. Any other violent offenses, defined as aggravated assault A.R.S. § 13-1204 A.1.,
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon A.R.S. § 13-1204 A.2., drive by shooting, and
discharging a firearm at a structure;
6. A felony offense committed by a chronic offender, defined as a juvenile who has two
prior and separate adjudications;
7. Any offense that is properly joined to the above offenses.
These offense categories are used to define pathways to (or filings in) adult court referred to as
Mandatory (1 through 5 and 7) and Chronic (6).
Furthermore, the county attorney has the discretion to bring criminal prosecution against
fourteen (14) year old juveniles accused of the offenses enumerated above. Criminal prosecution
may also be brought against juveniles fourteen or older who have been accused of class 1 or
class 2 felonies or of selected class 3, 4, 5, and 6 felonies. These are referred to as
Discretionary filings. In addition criminal prosecution may be brought against any juvenile
with a prior conviction in adult court. These are referred to as Mandatory Prior Conviction
filings.
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40
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Direct Filed in Adult Court FY00
Apache 0 0.00%
Cochise 7 1.14%
Coconino 11 1.79%
Gila 7 1.14%
Graham 12 1.95%
Greenlee 0 0.00%
La Paz 2 0.33%
Maricopa 393 63.90%
Mohave 9 1.46%
Navajo 6 0.98%
Pima 117 19.02%
Pinal 32 5.20%
Santa Cruz 3 0.49%
Yavapai 10 1.63%
Yuma 6 0.98%
TOTAL 615 100.00%
41
Gender: Direct Filed FY00
Male 584 94.96%
Female 31 5.04%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 615 100.00%
Age: Direct Filed FY00
8 0 0.00%
9 0 0.00%
10 0 0.00%
11 0 0.00%
12 0 0.00%
13 0 0.00%
14 28 4.55%
15 88 14.31%
16 188 30.57%
17 288 46.83%
Unknown 23 3.74%
TOTAL 615 100.00%
Ethnicity: Direct Filed FY00
Hispanic 301 48.94%
African American 72 11.71%
Anglo 200 32.52%
Native American 31 5.04%
Asian/Pacific Islander 3 0.49%
Other 0 0.00%
Unknown 8 1.30%
TOTAL 615 100.00%
Education Status: Direct Filed FY00
Enrolled 326 53.01%
Not Enrolled 155 25.20%
Expelled 4 0.65%
Suspended 1 0.16%
Withdrawn 5 0.81%
Graduated 2 0.33%
GED Program 1 0.16%
Unknown 121 19.67%
TOTAL 615 100.00%
95
5
49
12
33
5 0
19
77
53
0
20
40
60
80
100
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Direct Filed in Adult Court FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
42
Number of Prior Referrals:
Direct Filed FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Direct Filed FY00
0 125 20.33% Felonies Against Person 346 56.26%
1 55 8.94% Felonies Against Property 162 26.34%
2 46 7.48% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 5 0.81%
3 35 5.69% Misdemeanors Against Person 3 0.49%
4 42 6.83% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 74 12.03%
5 41 6.67% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 22 3.58%
6 34 5.53% Misdemeanors Against Property 3 0.49%
7 26 4.23% Status Offenses 0 0.00%
8 or more 211 34.31% Citations/Administrative 0 0.00%
TOTAL 615 100.00% TOTAL 615 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Direct Filed FY00
Felony 601 97.72%
Misdemeanor 14 2.28%
Administrative 0 0.00%
Status 0 0.00%
Other 0 0.00%
TOTAL 615 100.00%
20 22
58
98
2 0
57
27
0
20
40
60
80
100
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Direct Filed in Adult Court FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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43
JUVENILES TRANSFERRED TO ADULT COURT IN FY00
Prior to FY97 and the passage of Proposition 102, the sole pathway to adult court for juveniles
was through the judicial transfer process. The implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 1446 initiated
the shift from judicial transfers to direct filing in adult court by the county attorney as the
primary pathway to adult court. In SB 1446, there were also changes to the process whereby
juveniles are transferred to adult court, as reflected in A.R.S. § 8-327. This statute determines
the procedures for the state to request a transfer to adult court and the factors a judge must
consider in the decision to transfer. Previously the transfer process was based on the Rules of
Procedure of Juvenile Court (deferred transfers may no longer be granted). These provisions
were effective July 21, 1997, shortly after the beginning of FY98.
An order to transfer is based on findings of a preponderance of evidence of probable cause that:
the offense was committed, the juvenile committed the offense, and a transfer would best serve
public safety. The determination of whether public safety would be served is based on the
following factors as stated in A.R.S. § 8-327 D:
1. The seriousness of the offense involved
2. The record and previous history of the juvenile, including previous contacts with the
courts and law enforcement, previous periods of any court ordered probation and the
results of that probation
3. Any previous commitments of the juvenile to juvenile residential placements and secure
institutions
4. If the juvenile was previously committed to the department of juvenile corrections for a
felony offense
5. If the juvenile committed another felony offense while the juvenile was a ward of the
department of juvenile corrections
6. If the juvenile committed the alleged offense while participating in, assisting, promoting
or furthering the interests of a criminal street gang, a criminal syndicate or a racketeering
enterprise
7. The views of the victim of the offense
8. If the degree of the juvenile’s participation in the offense was relatively minor but not so
minor as to constitute a defense to prosecution
9. The juvenile’s mental and emotional condition
10. The likelihood of the juvenile’s reasonable rehabilitation through the use of services and
facilities that are currently available to the juvenile court
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44
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Transferred to Adult Court FY00
Apache 1 0.68%
Cochise 1 0.68%
Coconino 0 0.00%
Gila 7 4.76%
Graham 3 2.04%
Greenlee 0 0.00%
La Paz 0 0.00%
Maricopa 84 57.14%
Mohave 8 5.44%
Navajo 4 2.72%
Pima 20 13.61%
Pinal 6 4.08%
Santa Cruz 0 0.00%
Yavapai 8 5.44%
Yuma 5 3.40%
TOTAL 147 100.00%
45
Gender: Transferred FY00
Male 136 92.52%
Female 11 7.48%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 147 100.00%
Age: Transferred FY00
8 0 0.00%
9 0 0.00%
10 0 0.00%
11 0 0.00%
12 0 0.00%
13 1 0.68%
14 1 0.68%
15 3 2.04%
16 25 17.01%
17 116 78.91%
Unknown 1 0.68%
TOTAL 147 100.00%
Ethnicity: Transferred FY00
Hispanic 56 38.10%
African American 17 11.56%
Anglo 71 48.30%
Native American 3 2.04%
Asian/Pacific Islander 0 0.00%
Other 0 0.00%
Unknown 0 0.00%
TOTAL 147 100.00%
Education Status: Transferred FY00
Enrolled 68 46.26%
Not Enrolled 41 27.89%
Expelled 1 0.68%
Suspended 1 0.68%
Withdrawn 4 2.72%
Graduated 3 2.04%
GED Program 0 0.00%
Unknown 29 19.73%
TOTAL 147 100.00%
93
7
38
12
48
2 1 3
96
46
0
20
40
60
80
100
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Transferred to Adult Court FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
46
Number of Prior Referrals:
Transferred FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Transferred FY00
0 17 11.56% Felonies Against Person 40 27.21%
1 14 9.52% Felonies Against Property 72 48.98%
2 21 14.29% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 2 1.36%
3 10 6.80% Misdemeanors Against Person 2 1.36%
4 9 6.12% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 9 6.12%
5 10 6.80% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 21 14.29%
6 6 4.08% Misdemeanors Against Property 0 0.00%
7 8 5.44% Status Offenses 1 0.68%
8 or more 52 35.37% Citations/Administrative 0 0.00%
TOTAL 147 100.00% TOTAL 147 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Transferred FY00
Felony 132 89.80%
Misdemeanor 13 8.84%
Administrative 0 0.00%
Status 1 0.68%
Other 1 0.68%
TOTAL 147 100.00%
12
31
58
90
9
1 29
49
0
20
40
60
80
100
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Transferred to Adult Court FY 2000 (percent)
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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47
JUVENILES DETAINED BY THE JUVENILE COURT IN FY00
Juvenile detention is the temporary and secure custody of juveniles under the jurisdiction of the
Juvenile Court who require a restricted environment for their own protection and the safety of
the community. Responsibility for maintaining a juvenile detention center that is separate and
apart from an adult jail or lockup is vested with the counties.
Juvenile detention provides a range of services which supports the juvenile's physical, emotional,
educational and social development. Supportive services minimally include: education,
recreation, counseling, nutrition, medical and health services, reading, visitation, communication
and continuous supervision. Juvenile detention also provides for a system of clinical observation
and assessment.
In Arizona, a juvenile may be detained for the following reasons:
1. If there is probable cause to believe that the juvenile committed the acts alleged in
the petition, and there is reasonable cause to believe:
a. That otherwise the juvenile would not be present at any hearing;
b. That the juvenile is likely to commit an offense injurious to himself or others;
c. That the juvenile must be held for another jurisdiction; or
d. That the interests of the juvenile or the public require custodial protection.
2. As a condition of probation.
Thirteen of the fifteen counties in Arizona maintain a juvenile secure care facility. Juveniles
from two counties are transported to other jurisdictions when the need for secure custody is
determined by the Court. These juveniles appear in their county’s data as well as in the data of
the county in which they were detained.
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48
The information presented in this section characterizes individual youth (unduplicated). For those youth who were
referred more than once during the fiscal year, information from the most recent referral is reported.
The table below shows the distribution of youth across the counties in Arizona. On the following two pages,
demographic and offense-specific information are presented. Selected data from the tables at the top of each page
are also presented in the related graph at the bottom of each page.
County: Detained FY00
Apache 150 1.15%
Cochise 340 2.60%
Coconino 610 4.67%
Gila 399 3.05%
Graham 86 0.66%
Greenlee 102 0.78%
La Paz 24 0.18%
Maricopa 6,503 49.74%
Mohave 362 2.77%
Navajo 352 2.69%
Pima 1,890 14.46%
Pinal 810 6.20%
Santa Cruz 253 1.93%
Yavapai 596 4.56%
Yuma 598 4.57%
TOTAL 13,075 100.00%
49
Gender: Detained FY00
Male 9,903 75.74%
Female 3,171 24.25%
Unknown 1 0.01%
TOTAL 13,075 100.00%
Age: Detained FY00
8 6 0.05%
9 35 0.27%
10 64 0.49%
11 158 1.21%
12 418 3.20%
13 949 7.26%
14 1,803 13.79%
15 2,421 18.52%
16 3,151 24.10%
17 4,001 30.60%
Unknown 69 0.53%
TOTAL 13,075 100.00%
Ethnicity: Detained FY00
Hispanic 5,119 39.15%
African American 1,066 8.15%
Anglo 5,782 44.22%
Native American 925 7.07%
Asian/Pacific Islander 79 0.60%
Other 72 0.55%
Unknown 32 0.24%
TOTAL 13,075 100.00%
Education Status: Detained FY00
Enrolled 5,650 43.21%
Not Enrolled 1,085 8.30%
Expelled 65 0.50%
Suspended 49 0.37%
Withdrawn 129 0.99%
Graduated 16 0.12%
GED Program 16 0.12%
Unknown 6,065 46.39%
TOTAL 13,075 100.00%
76
24
39
8
44
7 12
32
55
43
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Gender Ethnicity Age School
Demographic Characteristics: Detained FY 2000 (percent)
Male Hispanic Ages 8 - 13 Enrolled in School
Female African American Ages 14, 15
Anglo Ages 16, 17
Native American
50
Number of Prior Referrals:
Detained FY00
Severity of Most Serious Offense:
Detained FY00
0 2,232 25.34% Felonies Against Person 1,214 13.78%
1 1,184 13.44% Felonies Against Property 1,933 21.95%
2 908 10.31% Obstruction of Justice: Fel. & Misd. 1,491 16.93%
3 725 8.23% Misdemeanors Against Person 1,095 12.43%
4 563 6.39% Drugs: Fel. & Misd. 1,047 11.89%
5 508 5.77% Public Peace: Fel. & Misd. 1,159 13.16%
6 432 4.90% Misdemeanors Against Property 492 5.59%
7 363 4.12% Status Offenses 259 2.94%
8 or more 1,893 21.49% Citations/Administrative 118 1.34%
TOTAL *8,808 100.00% TOTAL *8,808 100.00%
Offense Class of Most Serious Offense:
Detained FY00
Felony 4,744 53.86%
Misdemeanor 2,743 31.14%
Administrative 1,018 11.56%
Status 257 2.92%
Other 46 0.52%
TOTAL *8,808 100.00%
25
32
43
54
31
3
26 28
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Referrals Class Severity
Prior Referrals & Types of Offenses: Detained FY 2000 (percent)
*Not all juveniles are detained as a result of the current referral. They can also be detained as court holds, on warrant, being held
for another jurisdiction, or as a probation consequence. Therefore, tables related to referrals reflect 8,808 of the 13,075 juveniles
detained.
No Prev Ref Felony Felonies & Misd. Against:
1 - 3 Prev Ref Misdemeanor Person
4 or More Status Property
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51
ARIZONA JUVENILE POPULATION ESTIMATES AND PROJECTIONS: AGES 8 - 17
1995 - 2010
624,535
648,509
668,233
682,014
713,624
733,117
753,592
774,929
796,266
817,603
838,940
860,277
881,614
902,951
924,288
945,625
966,962
988,299
1,009,636
1,030,973
1,052,309
-
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
1995 - 2000 Population Estimates: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Research Administration, Population Statistics Unit.
2001 - 2015 Population Projections: Constructed using Linear Regression Model by AOC/JJSD.
52
Arizona County Population FY 2000 - Gender Estimates by Percent (ages 8 - 17)
Male Female
# % # %
TOTAL
Apache 7,738 50% 7,636 50% 15,374
Cochise 9,766 51% 9,332 49% 19,098
Coconino 10,059 52% 9,205 48% 19,264
Gila 4,011 51% 3,812 49% 7,823
Graham 3,521 52% 3,264 48% 6,785
Greenlee 1,042 55% 858 45% 1,900
La Paz 1,294 53% 1,127 47% 2,421
Maricopa 229,869 53% 201,817 47% 431,686
Mohave 9,456 53% 8,403 47% 17,859
Navajo 9,850 53% 8,832 47% 18,682
Pima 59,401 51% 57,177 49% 116,578
Pinal 13,857 53% 12,510 47% 26,367
Santa Cruz 3,531 50% 3,485 50% 7,016
Yavapai 10,426 52% 9,449 48% 19,875
Yuma 11,562 52% 10,827 48% 22,389
TOTAL 385,383 347,734 733,117
50%
50%
51%
49%
52%
48%
51%
49%
52%
48%
55%
45%
53%
47%
53%
47%
53%
47%
53%
47%
51%
49%
53%
47%
50%
50%
52%
48%
52%
48%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Apache
Cochise
Coconino
Gila
Graham
Greenlee
La Paz
Maricopa
Mohave
Navajo
Pima
Pinal
Santa Cruz
Yavapai
Yuma
Arizona County Population FY 2000
Gender Estimates by Percent (ages 8 - 17)
Male Female
Arizona County Population Estimates FY00: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Research
Administration, Population Statistics Unit.
53
NOTES
1. The number of juveniles in each stage is an unduplicated count. Juveniles at each stage are
counted once. A juvenile could be counted twice if assigned two different dispositions. If a
juvenile was diverted and later placed on probation for a new offense in the same year, the
juvenile would be counted twice, once for diversion and once for probation. The only
exception to the unduplicated count are the tables “Pathways for Juveniles Filed in Adult Court”
and “County: Direct Filed and Transferred to Adult Court FY00". In these tables, if a juvenile
is direct filed and transferred, the juvenile would be counted twice, once for any transfers and
once for any direct files.
2. Specific definitions of each severity category include, but are not limited to:
Felonies against person - Aggravated assault, arson of occupied structure, child molesting, child
prostitution, child abuse, criminal syndicate, custodial interference, drive-by shooting,
intimidating by gang, kidnapping, endangerment, incest, leaving accident, manslaughter, murder,
negligent homicide, robbery, sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual conduct with minor.
Felonies against property - Aggravated criminal damage, criminal damage, shoplifting, arson of
unoccupied structure, armed burglary, burglary, computer fraud, fraud, embezzlement,
extortion, forgery, unauthorized use of vehicle, organized crime, failure to return rental property,
trafficking, possession of stolen property, stolen vehicle, theft.
Obstruction of justice (felonies and misdemeanors) - Contempt of court, escape, unlawful or
felony flight, failure to appear, hindering prosecution, influence witness, obstruction, perjury,
parole or probation violation, resisting arrest.
Misdemeanor against person - Assault, simple assault, domestic violence, endangerment,
threatening intimidation, lewd and lascivious acts, unlawful imprisonment.
Drugs (Felonies and Misdemeanors) - Possession, sale, use, transportation, or manufacture of
any illegal drug (dangerous, narcotic, toxic substance, inhalant hallucinogen, or prescription) or
drug paraphernalia, involving a minor in a drug offense.
Public Peace (Felonies and Misdemeanors) - Aggravated DUI, alcohol under age consumption,
carry concealed weapon, child neglect, commercial sex, contributing delinquency of minor,
crime against nature, cruelty to animals, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, DUI,
eavesdropping, false reporting, failure to stop, failure to appear, firework violation,
gambling/gaming, harassment, indecent exposure, obscenity, prostitution, reckless burning,
reckless driving, riot, public sexual indecency, speeding, traffic offenses, trespassing, criminal
trespassing, unlawful assembly, weapons offenses, discharge firearm.
54
Misdemeanors against property - Criminal damage, issue bad check, shoplifting, and theft.
Status Offenses - Curfew, incorrigible, liquor possession, runaway, tobacco possession,
truancy.
Citations/Administrative - Court hold, courtesy hold, immigration, sovereignty, traffic, warrant.
3. Population data have been provided by the Department of Economic Security, Research
Administration, and Population Statistics Unit. The “Blue Wave” population graph has been
updated reflecting population estimates through 2000.
4. For further information, see:
Bartsch, David and Noriega, Donna. Juvenile Justice Treatment Evaluation Pilot Project
Outcomes Report. Phoenix, AZ: Arizona Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the
Courts, Juvenile Justice Services Division, July 1999.
Deloitte Consulting. Arizona Juvenile Justice Evaluation. Sacramento, California: A Report
Prepared for the Arizona State Legislature Juvenile Justice Committee, December, 1988.
Gottfredson, Don M. and Gottfredson, Stephen D. Empirical Evaluation of the
Progressively Increasing Consequences Act Program. A report prepared fort he
Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile Justice Services Division, September, 1995.
LeCroy, Craig W., Ashford, Jose B., Krysik, J., and Milligan, K. B. Initial Evaluation of
Treatment Services for Juveniles Receiving Treatment in Arizona from January 1,
1994 to June 30, 1994. Phoenix, AZ. A report prepared for the Administrative Office of
the Courts, Juvenile Justice Services Division, May 1997.
LeCroy, Craig W., Krysik, Judy, and Palumbo, Dennis. Empirical Validation of the Arizona
Risk/Needs Instrument and Assessment Process. Phoenix, AZ. A report prepared for the
Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile Justice Services Division, December, 1998.
McNulty, Elizabeth W. and Russell, J. Neil. Juvenile Commitment Guidelines Departure
Research Project. Phoenix, AZ: Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile Justice
Services Division, September, 1995.
55
McNulty, Elizabeth W. Juvenile Transfer Study: Juveniles Transferred to Adult Court
1994. Phoenix, AZ: Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile Justice Services Division,
February 1996.
Salk, Elliot. Treatment Evaluation Pilot Project Final Report. Phoenix, AZ: A report
prepared for the Administrative Office of the Courts, Juvenile Justice Services Division,
June 1999.
Vicki Romero & Associates, Inc. Survey of Arizona Juvenile Justice Service Providers:
Final Report. A report prepared for the Administrative Office of he Courts, Juvenile Justice
Services Division, August 1995.
5. Maricopa County’s increase in petitions and dismissed dispositions is a result of the county
attorney allowing the juvenile probation department to process many citations as diversion
complaints to minimize the effect on the court’s schedule. If a juvenile completed the
consequences assigned by a probation officer, the citation (which in effect is a petition) was
dismissed.
6. Because of further changes in recent years regarding automatic transfer of certain juvenile
offenders to Adult Court for prosecution, most serious, violent offenders as defined in the
guidelines are no longer eligible for commitment to ADJC. New Commitment Guidelines, which
are less prescriptive, are currently under consideration for adoption and implementation.
56
GLOSSARY OF JUVENILE JUSTICE TERMS
ADJUDICATION HEARING: In the juvenile court, the adjudication hearing is the proceeding in
which a juvenile is found to be a delinquent, incorrigible or dependent youth. The hearing is
relatively formal and is attended by the judicial officer, county attorney, defense attorney and the
juvenile. Normally, the parents/guardians and a juvenile probation officer also attend, along with
any victims or witnesses required. The adjudication hearing is sometimes compared to the trial
process in adult court, without the jury. In some respects, an "adjudication" for a delinquent
offense is the juvenile court's equivalent of a "criminal conviction" in adult court.
ADULT COURT: Adult court has been defined in statute as the appropriate justice court,
municipal court or criminal division of Superior Court with jurisdiction to hear offenses
committed by juveniles. The new law specifies that juveniles who commit certain offenses, are
chronic felony offenders, or have historical prior convictions, must be prosecuted in the adult
court and if convicted, are subject to adult sentencing laws.
ADULT PROBATION: Adult probation is a function of the judicial branch of government, and has
as its primary responsibility, the community-based supervision of adults convicted of criminal
offenses, who are not sentenced to prison. Juveniles prosecuted as adults and who are placed on
probation, are placed on adult probation.
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS (ADJC): The ADJC is operated by the
executive branch and is the juvenile counterpart of the Department of Corrections. ADJC
operates facilities and programs primarily aimed at more serious juvenile offenders, ages 12 - 17,
committed to their care and custody by the juvenile courts. ADJC operates secure correctional
facilities, community-based after care programs, and juvenile parole.
CHRONIC FELONY OFFENDER: A chronic felony offender is statutorily defined as a juvenile
who on two prior separate occasions was adjudicated delinquent for an offense that would have
been comparable to a felony offense had the juvenile been prosecuted as an adult, and who
commits a third felony offense. The county attorney is required by statute to bring criminal
prosecution in adult court against all juveniles 15 years of age or older, who are charged with
committing a third felony offense. The state must prove that the juvenile is a chronic offender.
The county attorney has discretion to also indict 14-year-old juveniles as chronic felony
offenders and to prosecute them as adults.
COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM (CBAP): As used in Senate Bill 1446 and the
new juvenile statutes, Community-Based Alternative Programs are not specifically defined.
However, the term "CBAP" has been used generally in reference to citizen boards established
throughout local communities by county attorneys and/or juvenile courts. In cases where the
county attorney has authorized "diversion," the juvenile and his parent(s) or guardian(s) may be
referred to a CBAP, where the panel of citizens will review the offense, question the juvenile and
issue a consequence. The fundamental intent of this type of Community-Based Alternative
Program is to increase citizen involvement in the juvenile justice process.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE: When used as a "diversion" consequence, community service is unpaid
work performed by a juvenile who admits to the delinquency or incorrigible charges and is
eligible to have his/her prosecution "diverted" by the county attorney. Community service may
also be a condition of juvenile probation. Community service work may involve such things as
graffiti abatement, litter cleanup or any other public or private community assistance project
under the supervision of the county attorney or juvenile court.
COMPLAINT: By statute, a complaint is a written statement or report normally prepared by a law
enforcement officer and submitted under oath to the Juvenile Court or the Superior Court,
alleging that a juvenile has violated the law. It is also called a "delinquency complaint" or
"written referral" (paper referral).
DELINQUENT JUVENILE: A delinquent juvenile is simply a juvenile who commits an illegal
offense. If the same offense had been committed by an adult, the offense would be a criminal
act.
DETENTION: Juvenile detention is specifically defined as the temporary confinement of a
juvenile in a physically restricting facility, surrounded by a locked and physically restrictive
secure barrier, with restricted ingress and egress. Juveniles are typically held in detention
pending court hearings for purposes of public protection, their own protection or as a
consequence for their misbehavior.
DISCRETIONARY FILINGS: The statutes permit the county attorney to bring criminal prosecution
in adult court if the juvenile is 14 years of age or older and is accused of the serious, chronic and
violent offenses enumerated in the law that warrant mandatory adult prosecution for juveniles 15
years of age or older. Essentially, county attorneys have full discretion in these instances to file
a petition in juvenile court or to seek adult prosecution.
DISPOSITION HEARING: A disposition hearing is conducted following the adjudication hearing
to determine the most appropriate punishment or intervention for the juvenile. This hearing is
comparable to a "sentencing hearing" in the adult criminal court. Simply stated, "disposition"
refers to the process by which the juvenile court judge decides what to do with the juvenile.
DIVERSION: Diversion is a process by which formal court action (prosecution) is averted. The
diversion process is an opportunity for youth to admit their misdeeds and to accept the
consequences without going through a formal adjudication and disposition process. By statute,
the county attorney has sole discretion to divert prosecution for juveniles accused of committing
any incorrigible or delinquent offense.
INCORRIGIBLE YOUTH: Juveniles who commit offenses which would not be considered crimes
if they were committed by adults are called status offenders (incorrigible youth). Typically,
incorrigible youth are juveniles who refuse to obey the reasonable and proper directions of their
parents or guardians. Juveniles who are habitually truant from school, run away from home, or
violate curfew are considered to be incorrigible.
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INTAKE: Intake occurs when a youth is referred to the juvenile probation department with a
delinquent or incorrigible charge. Intake staff determine if a youth is eligible for diversion, per
the county attorney's criteria, or whether the juvenile must be referred to the county attorney for
possible prosecution. Intake officers meet with the juveniles and their parents, coordinate
diversion consequences and issue reports to the court and county attorney.
JUVENILE INTENSIVE PROBATION SUPERVISION (JIPS) : Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S. § 8-
351) defines JIPS as "a program…..of highly structured and closely supervised juvenile
probation…..which emphasizes surveillance, treatment, work, education and home detention." A
primary purpose of JIPS is to reduce the commitments to the Arizona Department of Juvenile
Corrections (ADJC) and other institutional or out-of-home placements. The statutes require that
all juveniles adjudicated for a second felony offense must be placed on JIPS, committed to
ADJC, or sent to adult court.
MANDATORY OFFENSES: The statutes mandate that certain serious, violent and chronic
offenses, when committed by juveniles of a certain age, must be prosecuted in the adult criminal
division of Superior Court. These "mandatory offenses" coincide with the crimes now
enumerated in the State Constitution, as amended through the provisions of Proposition 102 and
approved by Arizona voters at the 1996 general election.
PAROLE: This term refers only to those juveniles who have been committed to ADJC and are
then placed on juvenile "parole" upon their release. Juvenile parole is normally considered to be
"conditional liberty." Parole is an executive branch function.
PETITION: A "petition" is a legal document filed in the juvenile court alleging that a juvenile is
a delinquent, incorrigible, or a dependent child and requesting that the court assume jurisdiction
over the youth. The petition initiates the formal court hearing process of the juvenile court. The
petition is prepared by the county attorney, who determines what charges to bring against the
juvenile.
REFERRALS: Referrals can be made by police, parents, school officials, probation officers or
other agencies or individuals requesting that the juvenile court assume jurisdiction over the
juvenile's conduct. Referrals can be "paper referrals" issued as citations or police reports or
"physical referrals" as in an actual arrest and custody by law enforcement. Juveniles may have
multiple referrals during any given year or over an extended period of time between the ages of
8-17. Multiple referrals typically signal high risk, even when the referrals are for numerous
incorrigible, or relatively minor offenses.
STANDARD PROBATION: A program for the supervision of juveniles placed on probation by the
court. These juveniles are under the care and control of the court and are supervised by
probation officers.
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TRANSFER HEARING: A transfer hearing is held when the county attorney requests that the
juvenile court consider transferring its jurisdiction of the juvenile to the adult criminal division of
Superior Court. The juvenile court judge may decide to waive or retain jurisdiction in such
matters based on A.R.S. § 8-327, but must state on the official court record the reasons for the
decision.