Publication Date

8-2018

Date of Final Oral Examination (Defense)

6-20-2018

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

Department

Criminal Justice

Supervisory Committee Chair

Lisa G. Bostaph, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Laura King, Ph.D.

Supervisory Committee Member

Shaun M. Gann, Ph.D.

Abstract

The United States processes millions of adolescents through the juvenile court system annually. Throughout these hearings and upon adjudication, it is ultimately up to a judge to decide the juvenile’s disposition. Although research on juvenile delinquency has identified a variety of factors linked to youth offending, research is limited in terms of variables predicting a juvenile’s dispositional outcome. The current study examined number of predictive variables for youth offending to determine if they also influence a juvenile being committed to state custody in Idaho. This analysis consists of pre-screen evaluations obtained by the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections. The factors acquired from these reports are evaluated in terms of their effect on adolescent disposition. Findings partially support the hypothesis, revealing three statistically significant predictive factors of juvenile state commitment.

DOI

10.18122/td/1453/boisestate

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