Juvenile justice decision -making in Philadelphia County for adjudicated youth, 1996--2000

This study examined 21,041 cases of adjudicated youth at the disposition stage of the Philadelphia County Juvenile Justice System from 1996--2000 utilizing the database of the Crime and Justice Research Center of Temple University (ProDES). Conflict theory posited that race would affect decision-making and that minorities would be disadvantaged in the dispositions that were rendered. Bi-variate and Multivariate analysis were employed to test the hypotheses that minorities would receive more harsh and less favorable dispositions than Whites. The results of this study showed that in certain "contexts" race affects outcomes. Whites were more likely to receive behavioral health treatment (drug and alcohol, mental health) than minorities. Minorities were more likely to receive institutional placements than Whites. Adjustment to probation, violation of court orders and family function/family cooperation affect dispositions. There is a great deal of discretion in the juvenile justice decision-making process in Philadelphia County and this allows court officials to make decisions that ultimately disadvantage minorities.