The Intake Dispositions of Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

This article presents the analysis of intake dispositions for a sample of 533 juvenile suspects. By using multinomial logit analysis, we found strong statistical confirmation of the relevance of prior record and demeanor of youth during intake for the selection of intake options by officers in Los Angeles County. The analysis indicates that when other factors are held constant, there is no consistent pattern of differential treatment between black and Mexican-American youth. However, whites are less likely to receive counsel and release, the most lenient option, and a detain petition, the most severe option.