Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research > Publications & Evaluations
CJB86

Author Shuling Chen, Tania Matruglio, Don Weatherburn and Jiuzhao Hua
Published May 2005
Report Type Crime and Justice Bulletin No. 86
Subject Children, juveniles and young people; Offenders; Recidivism / Re-offending
Keywords criminal careers, juvenile offenders, juvenile re-offending, recidivism, Children's Court

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Summary

Aim

This bulletin presents the findings from a preliminary study into factors that affect the rate of juvenile offending and the proportion of juveniles whose criminal careers stretch into adulthood.

Abstract

Compared with the United States and Britain, Australia has conducted comparatively little research into juvenile re-offending and none (as far as can be determined) into the transition between juvenile and adult offending. The present bulletin presents the findings from a preliminary study into factors that affect the rate of juvenile offending and the proportion of juveniles whose criminal careers stretch into adulthood. Contrary to previously published research, we find a high proportion of juveniles making their first appearance in a Children’s Court continue their offending into adulthood, particularly if their first court appearance occurred when they were young. The implications of this finding for juvenile justice policy are discussed.