One-third of all delinquency cases disposed in 2008received probation as the most serious disposition
Courts with juvenile jurisdiction handled nearly 1.7 million delinquency cases in 2008. Probation supervision was the most severe disposition in 34% (556,300) of all delinquency cases. The number of cases placed on probation grew 33% between 1985 and 2008. During that time, the overall delinquency case-load increased 43%.