Abstract
National estimates have suggested that less than one-in-five arsons are cleared by arrest. Interestingly, juveniles account
for nearly 50% of arson arrests, a proportion greater than all other non-status offenses. While the criminological literature
on juvenile arson has been fairly consistent, a dearth of applied criminological literature has observed how the juvenile
justice system responds to arsonists. Drawing on data on more than 5,000 juveniles from a large southern state, this study
was able to differentiate between the system responses for arsonists and other felons. The findings suggested that the juvenile
justice system distinguished between arsonists and other felons in some respects, but these distinctions failed to align with
the suggested approaches of the criminological literature.
for nearly 50% of arson arrests, a proportion greater than all other non-status offenses. While the criminological literature
on juvenile arson has been fairly consistent, a dearth of applied criminological literature has observed how the juvenile
justice system responds to arsonists. Drawing on data on more than 5,000 juveniles from a large southern state, this study
was able to differentiate between the system responses for arsonists and other felons. The findings suggested that the juvenile
justice system distinguished between arsonists and other felons in some respects, but these distinctions failed to align with
the suggested approaches of the criminological literature.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-15
- DOI 10.1007/s12103-011-9142-2
- Authors
- Jonathan W. Caudill, Department of Political Science, California State University, Chico, Chico, CA 95929-0455, USA
- Brie Diamond, Program in Criminology, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR-31, Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
- Chad R. Trulson, Department of Criminal Justice, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Cir. #305130, Denton, TX 76203, USA
- Matt DeLisi, Criminal Justice Studies, Iowa State University, 203A East Hall, Ames, IA 50011-1070, USA
- James W. Marquart, School of Economics, Political, & Policy Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75080-3021, USA
- Journal American Journal of Criminal Justice
- Online ISSN 1936-1351
- Print ISSN 1066-2316