The Effect of Ethnicity on Juvenile Court Decision Making in Hawaii

Abstract

Delinquency referrals to family courts in the state of Hawaii were analyzed to examine whether ethnic disparity existed in juvenile court processing. Drawing on conflict theory, it was hypothesized that socially disadvantaged ethnic groups (Hawaiian, Filipino, and Samoan) would experience more severe outcomes than White and East Asian youth with similar backgrounds and legal histories. The findings show that Hawaiian and Samoan youth experienced different treatment compared to White youth. Although the ethnic effects diminished when additional extralegal and legal factors were included, it was found that Hawaiian and Samoan youth were significantly more likely than White youth to receive more severe court outcomes. The implications ofthis research for understanding the general issue of ethnic disparity in an increasingly diverse juvenile justice system are discussed.