Decoupling the Labeling Tradition: Exploring Gang Affiliation and the Application of Law. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caudill, Jonathan W.; Diamond, Brie; Karas, Stephanie; DeLisi, Matt
• Is Part Of: Youth violence and juvenile justice. Volume 15:Number 4(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 358
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: juvenile justice -- juvenile court -- prosecution -- case disposition -- labeling -- master status; 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: 10.1177/1541204016689492
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1541-2040

Abstract

Scholars have tested Becker's master status thesis on criminal justice system outcomes, yet have been unable to disentangle the label from behavioral characteristics. To clarify the effects of labels, we used archival juvenile court data to test Becker's master status through the effects of gang affiliation on case disposition. Stratified multivariate regression models revealed consistent effects of predictors—mental health needs, offenses per case, felony offense, and pretrial detention—on case referral to juvenile court across the gang-affiliated demarcation. The static effects of legal predictors across the gang demarcation levy questions about the legal consequences of labels.