Gender, Race, and Juvenile Court Outcomes: An Examination of Status Offenders. (July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peck, Jennifer H.; Leiber, Michael J.; Brubaker, Sarah Jane
• Is Part Of: Youth violence and juvenile justice. Volume 12:Number 3(2014:Jul.)
• Page Start: 250
• Page End: 267
• Publication Date: 2014-07
• Subjects: gender -- race -- status offenders -- juvenile court processing; Youth and violence -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; Juvenile delinquency -- United States -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Juvenile corrections -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.360973
• DOI: 10.1177/1541204013489713
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-2040

Abstract

The intersectionality perspective suggests that the treatment of females and minority youth may be based on one's social location in terms of oppression and privilege. Applying this perspective to juvenile court outcomes and based on prior research, the current study attempts to understand the individual and joint effects of gender and race on the treatment of status offenders at two decision-making stages of the juvenile justice system. Results from juvenile court referrals in two mid-Atlantic states indicate that gender and race, both individually and in combination, impact case outcomes in terms of both severity and leniency. While results are not always in the anticipated direction, the findings reveal that gender and race still matter in the decision to receive a court referral at intake and whether to adjudicate status offenders.