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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
JAMES J. DAVIS. Secretary
CHILDREN’S BUREAU
GRACE ABBOTT. Chief
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
A TENTATIVE PLAN FOR UNIFORM
REPORTING OF STATISTICS OF
DELINQUENCY, DEPENDENCY, AND
NEGLECT
&
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
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8 £
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CONTENTS
Page
Purpose of juvenile court statistics_________
obTain61? ^ 8 °f adequate statistics and" methods" by which"they may' be
Proposed plan for obatining uniform statistics
¡statistical cards__________ ________ __ __ _ ~~
Outlines of tables______ I - I H I I I I I I ___ I
Appendix— Definition of terms used______ I_
23
37
in
)
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JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
PURPOSE OF JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
Juvenile court judges, probation officers, and others concerned
with delinquency and dependency are without adequate statistical
information indicating the extent and nature of these problems.
Federal statistics of births and deaths are available to the publichealth worker, and of manufacture, trade, and agriculture to the
business man and the farmer, but no plan has yet been developed
for the collection on a national scale of statistics of dependency and
delinquency.
The United States Bureau of the Census at intervals of approx
imately 10 years publishes statistics of dependent children and adults
under the care of institutions and agencies, of juvenile delinquents in
institutions, and of adult prisoners; but lack of uniformity in the
records of the organizations which furnish the information and re
liance upon correspondence as a means of obtaining information
because of limited funds make the statistics, particularly those
relating to dependency, only roughly indicative of volume and trends.
No attempt is made by the Bureau of the Census to obtain statistics
concerning juvenile delinquents dealt with by the courts in other
ways than by commitment to institutions.
The Juvenile-Court Standards drafted by a committee appointed
by the Children’s Bureau and adopted by a conference held under
the joint auspices of the Children’s Bureau and the National Proba
tion Association contain ’the following recommendations:
The court should compile annually statistical information which will show the
problems dealt with and the results.
In order that it may be possible to compile information covering a period of
years and to compare the work of one court with that of others, it is essential
that uniform terminology and methods of statistical tabulation and presentation
of fundamental items be agreed upon. By this means only can significant social
data concerning the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and
neglect be obtained.1
Community programs for the safeguarding of children and young
people Could be planned much more intelligently and economically if
it were possible to compare the delinquency rates in large cities,
small towns, and rural areas; in communities with good school attend
ance and child labor laws well enforced and in communities with
poor laws, badly administered; in communities with well-organized
and those with poorly organized facilities for recreation; in com
munities where laws for the protection of children and young people
are effectively administered and in communities where they are
seldom enforced; in communities where family distress is promptly
i Juvenile-Court Standards; report of the committee appointed by the Children’s Bureau, August, 1921,
to formulate juvenile-court standards, adopted by a conference held under the auspices of the Children’s
Bureau and the National Probation Association, Washington, D. C., M ay 18,1923, p. 10. U. S. Children’s
Bureau Publication No. 121. Washington, 1923.
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JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
and adequately dealt with and in those where the reverse is true; in
communities where the juvenile court is adequately staffed and
equipped and in communities where the staff is poorly paid, over
worked, and without" resources for scientific study and treatment of
the children.
Juvenile-court statistics of delinquency are an index of the volume
of delinquency cases in any given area that are considered sufficiently
serious* to require official or unofficial court action; they can never
reflect the entire delinquency problem, since many difficult children
are dealt with by individuals and agencies without recourse to the
court. Nevertheless, changes in the juvenile-court delinquency rate
from year to year in the United States as a whole and in different
sections of the country would be a valuable index of social conditions
and of the results of child-welfare activities.
Statistics of dependency and neglect as dealt with by juvenile
courts require careful analysis because in some States dependent
children are received by public departments direct from parents or
guardians without court commitment, whereas in other States all
dependent children aided by the public must be committed through
the juvenile court. However, such statistics would be of value and
could be interpreted in the light of variations in State laws and in
the amount o f private provision for dependent children.
In 1914 Flexner and Baldwin, in their book on juvenile courts and
probation, the report of a special committee of the National Proba
tion Association called attention to the fact that “ as yet there is no
statistical material from juvenile courts that affords a basis for
definite, well-founded comparisons between different courts and dif
ferent communities.” A nation-wide survey of courts hearing chil
dren’s cases in the year 1918 made by the Children’s Bureau through
the questionnaire method revealed the chaotic condition of juvenilecourt statistics and the impossibility of obtaining comparable data
even for the courts within a single State, not to mention the country
as a whole. A later study of 10 courts in large cities made by the
Children’s Bureau showed that, except for a few of the most obvious
items, there was no general agreement as to the unit of tabulation or
the classifications to be used in statistical presentation. It was,
therefore, impossible to make any but the most general use of the
statistical material available.2
Since 1922 the National Probation Association has had a committee
on records and statistics which has been devising record forms and
has made three reports at annual meetings of the association. In
1923 this committee formulated the following statement of the pur
poses of juvenile and other social court statistics:
1. To furnish an index of the general nature and extent of the problems which
are brought before the court officially and unofficially.
2. To show the extent and kinds of service given by the court in such a way
that significant trends in methods of treatment and important facts with refer
ence to scope and volume of work may be brought out.
3. To point out significant factors which contribute to the causation of prob
lems that come before the court in such a way as to throw light on possibilities
of correction and prevention.
2 Flexner, Bernard, and Roger N. Baldwin: Juvenile Courts and Probation, p. 173 (New York, The
Century Co , 1914): Courts in the United States Hearing Children’s Cases; results of a questionnaire study
covering the year 1918, by Evelina Belden, p. 59 (U. S. Children’s Bureau Publication No. 65, Washington,
1920)- Juvenile Courts at Work, a study of the organization and methods of 10 courts, by Katharine F.
Lenroot and Emma O. Lundberg, p. 213 (U. S. Children’s Bureau Publication No. 141, Washington, 1925)
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PURPOSE OF JUVENILE STATISTICS
3
4.
To show the extent to which service given by the court has been effective in
.-correcting social problems, according to some definite measure of success or
failure, to the end that possibilities and limitations of methods m ay be revealed
and necessary changes or reenforcements indicated.
The committee pointed out that the information comprised under
1 and 2 constitutes a minimum that should be gathered by all courts
on a uniform basis and cast in such form that it may be comparable
from year to year for the same court, for different areas, and for the
country at large. Studies bearing upon points 3 and 4 involve the
keeping of adequate case records and can be undertaken with profit
only when facilities for research are available.3
In 1925, after a year’s study, the committee completed a set of
standard blanks for the use of probation officers handling juvenile
cases. The blanks consist of a face sheet, a child’s history sheet, a
family investigation sheet, and a record of supervision. They are
designed to cover the complete record of a child’s case from the
date of the first complaint to the end of the probationary supervision.
An increasing number of States are vesting in some central body
advisory or supervisory powers with reference to juvenile courts and
probation. About a third of the States have made some provision
for assistance by State departments in the development of juvenilecourt work. State agencies having authority to require reports are
in a position to contribute greatly to the movement for obtaining
better juvenile-court statistics and a more adequate evaluation of the
work being done. A State agency can obtain a far greater degree of
uniformity and accuracy within a State than now exists by advising
in the planning of record systems and record forms, devising the best
methods for the current entry of statistical material on tally sheets
or on cards, assisting in the formulation of definitions and classifica
tions, and checking the accuracy of the statistical returns. Moreover,
through exchange of information with agencies of other States and
with national agencies, uniformity on a nation-wide scale, in a
measure at least, may be obtained.
The juvenile court is a public institution expending each year large
sums of money and dealing with vital social problems. It has a
history of more than 25 years, and it now should be in a position
through adequate statistical and case records to conserve the lessons
of experience and to measure the results accomplished. Public in
terest requires at least that minimum amount oi stock taking which
will show for the States and for the United States the volume of juve
nile delinquency and dependency dealt with by courts and the methods
of treatment employed. This requires agreement as to the unit of
measurement, generally accepted definitions of the terms used, the
compilation of statistical material by competent persons, and the
services of central coordinating agencies (State and national) which
can promote uniformity and efficiency in statistical processes, exercise
leadership in the development of definitions and classifications, and
assemble, interpret, and publish statistical material from the different
courts.
8 Ellis, Mabel Brown: “ Probation and the prevention of delinquency.” Report of the Committee on
Records and Statistics. Proceedings of the National Probation Association, 1923, pp. 112,113. Now York,
2924.
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JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
CHARACTERISTICS OF ADEQUATE STATISTICS AND METHODS
BY WHICH THEY MAY BE OBTAINED
If juvenile-court statistics are to be comparable as between courts
and over a period of years, general agreement must be had on the
following points: (1) Cases included, (2) time period covered, (3) facts
presented, and (4) definitions of terms used. Differences that can not
be eliminated because of differences in jurisdiction and legal definition
should be allowed for in interpreting the figures; to make this possible,
the statistics of each court should be accompanied by statements of
age jurisdiction, legal definitions of such terms as “ delinquent child”
and dependent child,” and statement of policy with reference to
elimination of trivial complaints and unofficial adjustment of cases.
Adequate statistics rest upon the completeness and accuracy of
court records and the preparation of statistics by persons who have
had some statistical training or experience. Consulting statistical
service of a more specialized character should be available in State
departments, if possible, and nation-wide agencies could be help
ful also.4
Consideration of the present condition of juvenile-court statistics
suggests two principal methods by which they may be improved:
(1) The fundamental method of education in better record keeping
and in the importance of trained service; and (2) the development
of concrete plans of tabulation and presentation of statistical material.
Both methods are important; each will be assisted materially by the
progress of the other. The committee of the National Probation
Association is working on improvement of record forms and record
keeping. The Children’s Bureau here presents a plan for obtaining
statistical material through the cooperation of courts and State
departments with the bureau. Probably a relatively small number
of courts will be in a position at first to assist in the development of
this plan, but it is hoped that eventually it may extend to the courts
of the entire country, just as the birth-registration area, which in the
first year of its establishment (1915) comprised only 10 States, is
steadily expanding and now (1926) includes 33 States, representing
76 per cent of the population of the United States.
PROPOSED PLAN FOR OBTAINING UNIFORM STATISTICS
TYPES OF CASE INCLUDED
The plan will be limited, at least in the beginning, to obtaining
statistics of delinquency, dependency, and neglect except that a
simple statement of total numbers of other cases disposed of will be
obtained if possible from each cooperating court. All juvenile.
courts have jurisdiction over delinquency and neglect, and most of
them over dependency. The legal definitions of dependency and
neglect overlap to such an extent that for most statistical purposes
it is desirable to consider them as forming one class. In most
States the juvenile court has jurisdiction over contributing to the
delinquency or dependency of children, but jurisdiction over other
classes of cases, such as mother’s aid, offenses against children, and
4 Ibid., pp. 125-129.
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PROPOSED PLAN FOR OBTAINING UNIFORM STATISTICS
5
failure to provide for tlie support of children, varies greatly from
State to State; and though the inclusion of such cases in a statement
of the work of any court is essential, an attempt to compile informa
tion concerning them on a national scale has not been deemed prac
ticable at the present time.
BASIS OF PLAN
The basis of the plan is a statistical card to be filled out by each
court cooperating with the Children’s Bureau for each case of delinquency, dependency, or neglect disposed of during a calendar year
and for each case of a delinquent, dependent, or neglected child
discharged from probation or supervision during the year. It is
recognized that from some points of view it would be desirable to
base the statistics on cases referred rather than on those disposed of
during the year; however, the importance of presenting complete
information regarding methods of disposing of cases and the con
venience of entering statistical data only at the time a case is dis
posed of, when complete information is available, have influenced the
Children’s Bureau to decide upon cases disposed of as the unit for
tabulation.
The bureau will furnish cooperating courts with blank cards and
with addressed envelopes requiring no postage for use in mailing
the cards to the bureau. Courts will be asked to send to the bureau
once a year, as soon after January 1 as possible, the cards cover
ing cases disposed of during the calendar year just completed. The
bureau will be glad to make arrangements to have the cards sent in
at more frequent intervals if any of the courts prefer that plan.
From these cards the bureau will compile annually the tables
outlined in this bulletin. The tables will be made out for each
cooperating court, and copies will be sent to the courts so that they
may be used in their own annual reports, if desired. If sufficient
material is received, the bureau will publish each year a report
summarizing, comparing, and interpreting the material sent in by
the different courts. It is hoped that in this way information con
cerning the trend of delinquency and dependency from year to year
will be made available.
If any cooperating court is required by law or custom to prepare
statistics on the basis of fiscal years which are not calendar years
(for example, if the court year ends on June 30 instead of on Decem
ber 31), the Children’s Bureau will furnish such a court with tables
based on the court year, if such tables are desired and the necessary
information is furnished to the Children’s Bureau. It is hoped, how
ever, that the calendar year will be increasingly used for court
statistics.
ALTERNATIVE PLAN
Some courts having their own statistical service may prefer to
prepare each year for the Children’s Bureau the tables outlined in
this bulletin, instead of sending the bureau a card for each case dis
posed of. State departments having supervision over juvenile-court
work or receiving reports from juvenile courts may be able to pre
pare the tables, or some of them, from returns filed with them.
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JUVENILE COUET STATISTICS
The bureau will be glad to include among the cooperating courts
any which furnish directly or through a State department some or
all of the tables outlined, provided that the tables are prepared in
accordance with the uniform procedure recommended.
Courts not wishing to use the statistical cards but willing to fur
nish tables will be sent separate sets of tables, with instructions for
their use.
INFORMATION TO BE OBTAINED
The tables will show for each cooperating court the total number
of cases of delinquency and of dependency and neglect disposed of
during a year, the charges or nature of the complaints, the methods
of care pending hearing or disposition of case, the manner of dealing
with the cases--whether through official court action or unofficial
adjustment— and the types of disposition made (for example, place
ment on probation or under supervision, commitment to institutions
or agencies). The number of different children dealt with will also
be shown, the number of children coming to the attention of the
court more than once, and certain social facts, such as sex, race, age,
parental condition, and whereabouts of the children when referred
to the court. Information concerning the. number of cases dis
charged from probation or supervision, length of time on' probation
or under supervision, and reason for discharge will be shown.
The information called for in the tables and on the cards is regarded
a's the minimum which should be compiled by all courts in order to
furnish annually an index of the volume of delinquency and dëpendencv coming to the attention of courts, the general character of the
problems presented, and the methods used in dealing with children’s
cases. The plan does not afford a basis for study of the causative
factors in delinquency and dependency, hor of the results of various ’
kinds of treatment. For such a study many additional items would;
be essential— for example, those concerning the physical and mental1
condition of the children, their school historiés, the economic status
of the families, the characteristics of other members of the households,,
and the kinds of service rendered while the children were on proba
tion. Court records of investigation and of children on probation or
under supervion should include such information, which is needed
both for intelligent treatment of individual cases and as a basis for
intensive studies.6 In the future as court records are improved and
statistical methods developed it may be possible to add some of these
items to those provided for in this plan.
The subject of juvenile-court statistics is extremely complicated.
Although this plan has been submitted in advance of publication to
a number of persons who have had actual experience in such statistics
and has been revised in accordance with suggestions received, never
theless it will continue to be subject to such further revision and
ossible amplification as experience may indicate. Suggestions as to
ifficulties encountered in its practical application and questions with
reference to interpretation and methods of procedure will be especially
welcome. In accordance with the suggestion of the committee of
P
* See the model blanks prepared by the National Probation Association for the use of probation officers
handling juvenile cases. Sample copies may be obtained from the National Probation Association (Inc.),
370 Seventh Avenue, New York City.
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STATISTICAL CAEDS
the National Probation Association 6 the bureau will submit to all
courts cooperating constructive suggestions received from any court,
and will transmit to all courts, for discussion and criticism, decisions
which may be reached by any of the courts or by the Children’s
Bureau with reference to the application of the definitions and classi
fications to cases presenting special difficulties from a statistical
point of view.
STATISTICAL CARDS
CASES FOR W HICH CARDS ARE TO BE FILLED OUT
Three kinds of cards will be furnished to courts cooperating with
the Children’s Bureau— one for delinquency cases dealt with officially
or unofficially, one for dependency and neglect cases dealt with offi
cially or unofficially, and one for cases of children on probation or
under supervision, under official order of the court or through unof
ficial arrangement. Cards are not to be filled out for the following
classes of cases which may come within the jurisdiction of the court:
Cases of children held as witnesses and not dealt with as delinquent,
dependent, or neglected children; cases referred to the court only
for the purpose of obtaining public aid for children in their own homes;
cases of contributing to delinquency or dependency, offenses against
children, nonsupport, establishment of paternity; and cases of feebler,
minded or epileptic children not dealt with as delinquent, depend
ent, or neglected children.
FORM OF CARD
The cards will be 5 inches by 8 inches in size and will be printed in
colors, buff being used for delinquency (No. 1), blue for dependency
or neglect (No. 2), and white for probation or supervision (No. 3):
Cards Nos. 1 and 2 will be printed on both sides, card No. 3 on one
side only. The delinquency and dependency cards are similar in
content. The forms of the cards are given on the following pages.1
The items on these cards relate only to the information needed
for the tables outlined in this bulletin.
1 llis, Mabel Brown: “ Probation and the prevention of delinquency.”
Probation Association, 1923, p. 124.
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Proceedings of the National
00
STATISTICAL CARD NO. 1
[Face]
1. Name of court.
2. Child’s name.
3. Boy, girl.
9 Charge (check as many as apply, underlining
most significant one)—
a. Stealing or attempted stealing.
(1) Automobile stealing.
(2) Burglary or unlawful entry.
(3) Robbery.
(4) Other.
b. Truancy.
c. Running away.
d. Ungovernable or beyond parental control.
e. Sex offense.
f. Injury or attempted injury to person.
g. Act of carelessness or mischief.
h. Violating liquor or drug law or intoxication.
i. Other (specify).
j. Not reported.
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5. Probation office number.
6. Docket number.
7. Date referred to court.
4. Date birth.
Date
10. Case disposed of officially, unofficially.
*
ft* Disposition of case:
a. If case disposed of officially check one—
Dismissed.
Continued indefinitely.
Restitution or reparation ordered.
Fine imposed or payment of costs ordered.
Child referred for criminal prosecution.
Placed on probation.^
Placed under supervision of individual.
Committed to board, department, or
agency.
Committed to institution for delinquent
children.
State.
County or city.
Private.
Committed to other institution.
Returned home.
Other (specify).
Not reported.
b.
If case disposed of unofficially check one—
To be placed in institution.
To be placed elsewhere.
Placed under supervision probation officer.
Referred to agency or other court.
Returned home.
Closed after adjustment.
Otherwise closed.
Not reported.
12. Dealt with in delinquency case before this year:
Yes, No.
Number of times dealt with.
Dealt with in delinquency case this year:
Yes, No.
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
8. Source of complaint (check-one)—
a. Parents or relatives.
b. Probation officer.
c. Police.
d. School department.
e. Social agency.
f. Other (specify).
g. Not reported.
[Delinquency case]
STATISTICAL CARD NO. 2
[Face]
1. Name of court.
2. Child’s name.
3. Boy, girl.
8. Source of complaint (check one)—
a. Parents or relatives.
b. Probation officer.
c. Police.
d. School department.
e. Social agency.
f. Other (specify).
g. Not reported.
4. Date birth.
10. Case disposed of officially, unofficially.
11. Disposition of case:
a. If case disposed of officially check one—
Dismissed.
Continued indefinitely.
Placed under court supervision.
Placed under supervision of individual.
Committed to board, department, or
agency.
State.
County or city.
Private child placing agency.
Committed to institution for dependent
children.
State.
County or city.
Private.
Committed to institution for delinquent
children.
Committed to institution for feeble-mind
ed or epileptic.
Committed to institution for physically
handicapped children.
Committed to other institution.
Other (specify).
Not reported.
5. Probation office number.
6. Docket number.
7. Date referred to court.
Date
b. If case disposed of unofficially check one—
To be placed in institution.
To be placed elsewhere.
Placed under supervision probation officer.
Referred to agency or other court.
Closed after adjustment.
Otherwise closed.
Not reported.
c. Names of other children in family whose
cases were disposed of at this time:
12. Dealt with in dependency or neglect case
before this year.
Yes, No.
Number of times dealt with.
Dealt with in dependency or neglect
case this year.
Yes, No.
STATISTICAL CARDS
9. Charge (check as many as apply, underlining
most significant one)—
a. Abandonment or desertion.
b. Abuse or cruel treatment.
c. Improper conditions in home.
d. Insufficient parental care.
e. Financial need.
f. Question of custody.
g. Other (specify).
h. Not reported.
[Dependency or neglect case]
CD
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[Reverse]
[Delinquency, dependency, or neglect card]
14. Child—White, negro, other.
15. Nativity and parentage of child (check one)—
a. Native, native parentage.
b. Native, foreign or mixed parentage.
c. Native, parentage not reported.
d. Foreign bom.
e. Nativity not reported.
16. Parental condition and whereabouts of child when referred' to court
(check one)—
a. With both own parents.
b. With mother and stepfather.
c. With father and stepmother.
d. With mother only.
Father dead.
Father deserting.
Parents divorced.
Parents not married.
Other (specify).
e. With father only.
Mother dead.
Mother deserting.
Parents divorced.
Parents not married.
Other (specify).
f. In adoptive home.
g. In other family home.
h. In institution.
i. Other.
j. Not reported.
17. Date card completed.
Name of person completing card.
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JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
13. Place of care pending hearing or disposition of case (check the place or
places in which child was cared for)—
a. Own home.
b. Boarding home.
c. Home of probation officer.
d. Detention home.
e. Receiving home or shelter of private agency.
f. Other institution.
g. Police station.
h. Jail.
1. Other,
j. Not reported.
O
STATISTICAL CARD NO. 3
[Face]
[Probation in delinquency case or supervision in dependency or neglect case]
1.
2.
5.
8.
Name of court.
Type of case—delinquency, dependency, or neglect.
Child’s name.
6. Boy, girl.
Date placed on probation (under supervision).
3. Probation office number.
4. Docket number.
7. Date birth.
Officially, unofficially.
9; Date discharged from probation (supervision).
11. Date card completed.
Name of person completing card.
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STATISTICAL CARDS
*
10. Reason for discharge from probation (supervision) check one—
a. Reached age limit.
b. Completed maximum period (applies only to probation case).
c. Further probationary supervision not recommended.
d. Transferred to other court (applies only to probation case).
e. Whereabouts unknown.
f. Moved from jurisdiction of court.
g. Committed to care of (specify).
h. Death of child.
i. Other reason (specify).
j. Not reported.
12
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
TIME OF FILLING OUT DELINQUENCY, DEPENDENCY, AND NEGLECT
CARDS
A t the beginning of the year (or of the month) in which this plan
is adopted the court should pick out all cases of delinquency, de
pendency, and neglect carried over from the previous year (or month)
and not yet disposed of. For each pending delinquency case the
information called for under items 1 to 7, inclusive, of the buff card
(No. 1) should be entered. These items, which appear above the
first heavy line on the card are as follows: Name of court, child’s
name, boy or girl, date of birth, probation office number (to be
entered for both official and unofficial cases), docket number (if
official case), date referred to court. The cards should then be
placed in a file or box and for convenience in later use should be
arranged numerically according to the probation office number.
As each new case of delinquency is referred during the year a new
card should be made out in the same way, with entries only under
iteifis 1 to 7, inclusive. The new cards should be placed in the same
file or box as the cards for pending cases and filed numerically accord
ing to the probation office number. If the same child is referred to
court on a new charge more than once during the year a new card
should be made out for each case.
The same procedure should be followed for the blue card (No. 2)
used for dependency and neglect cases.
When a delinquency, dependency, or neglect case is disposed of
through official court order (dismissal, probation, commitment, etc.)
the statistical card for that case should be taken from the file and
complete information entered, by checking the items appearing on
both sides of the card and filling in the dates called for. The card
should then be returned to the file but placed back of a guide card
marked “ closed.” It will not be needed again until the time comes
for sending in the cards to the Children’s Bureau. The same pro
cedure should be followed when a case is disposed of unofficially
without court action.
After January 1 of each year the cards remaining in the pending
file should be taken out a!nd each case looked up to determine whether
or not the case has in fact been disposed oi during the year just
passed. If it is found that a disposition has been made the card
should be completed by checking the items and filling in the dates,
and placed with the cards for closed cases. All the cards for closed
cases should then be sent to the Children’s Bureau. The cards re
maining will be those for cases carried over into the new year. They
should pe counted and a statement sent to the Children’s Bureau
containing the following information:
Number of delinquency cases carried over into the new year. Of
these, number referred during the year; number carried over from
preceding year.
Number of dependency or neglect cases carried over into the new
year. Of these, number referred during the year; number carried
over from preceding year.
The cards for pending cases should become the nucleus of the file
for the new year, to be completed as the cases are disposed of.
If desired, cards for closed cases may be sent to the Children’s
Bureau each month.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
STATISTICAL CAEDS
13
TIME OF FILLING OUT PROBATION OR SUPERVISION CARDS
At the beginning of the year (or of the month) in which this plan
is adopted the court should pick out all cases of children on probation
or under supervision, official or unofficial, carried over from the
previous year (or month), and should enter on a white card (No. 3)
for each such case the information called for under items 1 to 8,
inclusive, which appear above the first heavy line on the card. These
items are as follows: Name of court, type of case, probation office
number, docket number, child’s name, boy or girl, date of birth, date
placed on probation or under supervision. The cards should then
be placed in a file or box, arranged numerically according to the
probation office number. Each time a child is placed on official or
unofficial probation or under supervision during the year a new card
should be made out in the same way, with entries only under items
1 to 8, inclusive. The new cards should be placed in the same file or
box as the cards for pending cases and filed numerically according to
the probation office number. If the same child is placed on proba
tion or under supervision more than once during the year a new
card should be made out for him each time that he is placed on pro
bation or under supervision. If a child already on probation or under
supervision is brought in on a new charge and is continued on proba
tion or under supervision a new card should not be made out.
_
When a child is discharged from probation or supervision the
statistical card for that case should be taken from the file. The
date of #discharge should be entered on the card and the reason for
discharge checked. The card should then be returned to file and
placed back of a guide card marked “ closed.”
Aiter January 1 of each year the cards remaining in the pending
file should be taken out and each case looked up to determine whether
the child has in fact been discharged. If he has been discharged the
card should be completed and placed with the cards for closed cases,
all the cards for closed cases being sent to the Children’s Bureau.
The cards remaining will be those for cases carried over into the
new year. They should be counted and a statement sent to the
bureau containing the following information : '
Number of delinquent children on official probation carried over
into the new year : Of these, number placed on probation during the
year; number carried over from preceding year.
_
Number of delinquent children on unofficial probation carried over
into the new year: Of these, number placed on probation during the
year; number carried over from preceding year.
Number of dependent or neglected children under official supervi
sion carried over into the new year: Of these, number placed under
supervision during the year; number carried over from preceding
year.
. 1
Number of dependent or neglected children under unofficial
supervision carried over into the new year: Of these, number placed
under supervision during the year; number carried over from preced^Tlh.e cards for pending cases should become the nucleus of the file
for the new year.
,
If desired, cards for closed cases may be sent to the Children s
Bureau each month.
95954—26----- 3
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
14
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
DISTINCTION BETWEEN OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL CASES
Cases are classed as official and unofficial according to the way in
which they are dealt with by the court.
A case dealt with officially is one placed on the official calendar,
by the filing of a petition or complaint, or other legal paper used to
initiate court action for adjudication by the judge or referee. A
case dealt with unofficially is one not placed on the official calendar
by the filing of a petition or complaint but disposed of by the judge,
referee, probation officer, or other officer of the court.
POINT AT WHICH CASE IS TO BE CONSIDERED DISPOSED OF
A case dealt with officially should be considered disposed of when
an official court order such as “ dismissed,” “ placed on probation,”
“ committed to institution,” etc., is entered on the docket. Cases
designated by such terms as “ continued indefinitely ” or “ continued
generally,” in which no further action is taken or supervision given but
in which jurisdiction is maintained, so that if a like situation arises
later the case may be brought into court again without the filing of a
new petition, should also be considered disposed of.
Cases in which the persons concerned failed to appear and cases in
which a bench warrant was issued but not served should be considered
as disposed of by an indefinite continuance if no further action is
taken within the period of one year. In other words, they will not
be considered as closed cases until one year from the date of last
entry. Cases continued until a definite date on which they must
be brought into court again for hearing, or continued for a short time
for some definite purpose, such as medical examination, the date of
the subsequent hearing to be fixed later, should not be considered
disposed of but should be kept open until further action is taken.
However, if no further action is taken within one year they should
also be considered as disposed of at the end of that period by an
indefinite continuance.
A case dealt with unofficially should be considered disposed of when
some definite action has been taken, such as a recommendation for
care of child (for example, parents or guardians to place child in
institution or elsewhere); plan for treatment (placement under super
vision of probation officer); or adjustment (transfer of child from one
school to another, better understanding established between parent
and child or complainant and child). A case closed or dropped with
out adjustment or referred to social agency or other court with the
intent that there shall be no further action taken by this court should
be considered disposed of.
If a case dealt with unofficially but not definitely disposed of as
described above is later made official b y the filing of a petition or
complaint, or other legal paper used to initiate court action, it should
be considered as an official case.
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT CARDS
Place check immediately after the item, so close to it that there
can be no possibility of misunderstanding as to which item the
check is intended to refer.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
STATISTICAL CABDS
15
Statistical card No. 1 (buff)— delinquency case.
1. Name o f court.— Name of court preparing the card.
2. Child's name.— Name of child whose case has been referred—
family name first, then given names. (Child’s name is requested
simply for the purpose oi enabling the Children’s Bureau to bring
together all cards referring to the same child. All information will
be held strictly confidential and the cards destroyed after the tabula
tions have been made.)
3. Boy, girl.— Check one.
4. Date birth.— Enter date of child’s birth, naming month (January,
February, March, etc.), day, and year.
5. Probation office number.— Number given to case in probation
office.
6. Docket number (for official case only).
7. Date referred to court.— Date on which case was first brought to
the attention of the court by informal report or by the filing of a
petition or complaint, or other legal paper used to initiate court
action; for example, if a case was first referred by informal report
and later a petition was filed the date of the informal report should
be entered.
8. Source o f complaint.— Person or agency first bringing the case to
the attention of the court (this person or agency is not necessarily
the one whose name appears on the petition). Check one of the
items listed on the card.
School department includes attendance officers.
Social agency includes public or private agency, such as department of
public welfare, children’s aid society, etc.
9. Charge.-—Check one of the items listed on the card according to
the offense committed by the child as charged in the petition, com
plaint, or report. Sometimes a child is charged with two or more
offenses committed at about the same time, which are considered
together at a single hearing. Under such circumstances the several
offenses should be counted as a single case of delinquency, but each
offense should be checked and the one which seems to be of the
greatest significance underlined.
If an indefinite term such as “ delinquency” or “ incorrigibility”
is entered on the petition but it is possible to determine from another
source the act constituting delinquency or incorrigibility this supple
mentary information should be used.
Violating probation or parole ought not to be considered a new
charge unless the reason for bringing the child before the court for
violation of probation or parole is the commission of a new offense
or other conduct which would constitute delinquency if the child
had not been on probation. In such cases the charge checked should
not be violation of probation or parole but the offense or conduct
constituting the violation.
In order to aid courts in classifying offenses the most common have
been listed under the headings used on the card as follows:
a . Stealing or attempted stealing .— Because this offense forms so large a
part of juvenile delinquency this group has been further subdivided according
to the kind of stealing into four classes one of which should also be checked when
ever the general class "stealing or attempted stealing” is checked.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
16
JUVENILE COURT' STATISTICS
(1) Automobile stealing, which includes the following:
Stealing of automobile.
Stealing of automobile accessories.
Operating automobile without permission of owner (including taking of auto
mobile for purpose of joy riding).
(2) Burglary or unlawful entry, which includes the following:
Burglary.
House breaking.
Breaking and entering.
Unlawful entry.
(3) Robbery (stealing or attempted stealing from person, accompanied by
intimidation or violence).
(4) Other, which includes the following:
Counterfeiting.
Operating bicycle without permission
Embezzlement.
of owner.
Extortion.
Picking pockets.
Forgery.
Receiving stolen property.
Fraud.
Shoplifting.
Larceny.
Stealing coal, food, etc.
Obtaining money under false pretenses. Stealing from persons in the home.
b.
T ruancy .
c. R unning aw ay .— Under this heading should be included the following:
Runaway from home.
d.
U ngovernable or beyond
should be included the following:
Runaway from institution.
parental
control.— Under
this heading
Beyond parental control.
Staying out nights.
Vile language.
Violent general behavior.
e . Sex offense.— Under this heading
Disorderly conduct (involving a sex
offense).
Enticing minors for immoral purposes.
Immoral relations with persons of
same sex.
Immorality (sex immorality not other
wise specified).
In danger of becoming immoral (sex).
In danger of becoming a prostitute.
Indecent assault.
Indecent exposure.
Inmate house of prostitution.
Obscene pictures or literature.
Obscenity (including insulting person
of opposite sex).
Prostitution and allied offenses.
Rape (as defined by the law of the
State in which the court is located).
Unlawful intercourse.
should be included the following:
f . I njury or attempted injury to person .— Under this heading should
be included the following:
Accidental injury to person.
Assault.
Assault with intent to kill.
Homicide.
Threat to do bodily harm.
g. A ct of carelessness or mischief.— Under this heading should be ineluded the following:
Arson.
Operating automobile without license.
Playing ball in street.
Carrying concealed weapons.
Quarreling.
Committing nuisance.
Crapshooting.
Reckless automobile driving.
Setting fires.
Cruelty to animals.
Stealing rides.
Destruction of property.
Discharging firearms.
Swimming nude.
Disorderly conduct (not involving a Tampering with United States mail.
sex offense).
Throwing stones.
Disturbing the peace.
Trespassing.
False fire alarm.
Violating license regulation relating to
Fighting.
motor vehicles.
Gambling.
Violating traffic regulation relating to
Malicious mischief.
motor vehicles.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
STATISTICAL CARDS
17
h . V iolating liqtjob or drug law or intoxication .— Under this heading
should be included the following:
Violating liquor law, transporting.
Violating drug or narcotic law.
Other violation.
Intoxication.
i. Other .- Under this heading should
Attempted suicide.
.
.
Child. labor law violation (other than
violatmg street-trade regulation).
Resisting or obstructing an officer.
Vagrancy (not involving a sex offense)
be included the following:
Violating street trade regulation (ineluding bootblacking in violation of
regulations, illegal newspaper selling).
Violating city ordinance not elsewhere
specified.
j. N ot reported .— Under this heading should be included the following:
Delinquency (not otherwise specified). Nature of delinquency not reported.
10. Case disposed o f officially, unofficially .— Check “ officially ” or
11unofficially” according to the definitions on page 14.
D ate refers to date of court action or unofficial adjustment.
day, and year.
Enter month,
11.
Disposition o f case.— In an official case check one of the items
listed on the card in group a. In an unofficial case check one of the
items listed on the card in group b.
I n official delinquency cases if more than one disposition was made in the
same case, check the most significant disposition from the point of view of treat
ment, in accordance with the following:
D ismissed should not be checked if accompanied by an order of restitution or
reparation, or payment of costs.
R estitution or reparation ordered should not be checked if the child was
placed on probation or committed to an agency (including board or department)
or institution, or if a fine was imposed or payment of costs ordered.
F ine imposed or payment of costs ordered should not be checked if the
child was also placed on probation or committed to an agency or institution.
P laced on probation should not be checked if the child was placed on proba
tion to live in an institution. In such a case the child should be considered as
committed to an institution.
C ommitted to agency or institution should not be checked if. sentence was
suspended. In such a case the child would usually be placed on probation and
this item should be checked. If not placed on probation and no other disposi
tion was made, check “ continued indefinitely.”
Explanation of the items to be used in official delinquency cases
follows:
D ismissed includes case dismissed at the first hearing or after continuance
unaccompanied by probation. This order terminates the case, and it can not be
reopened unless a new petition is filed. In some courts the term “ discharged”
is used instead of “ dismissed.”
C ontinued indefinitely includes case in which no further action is taken
nor supervision given but jurisdiction is maintained so that if a like situation
arises later the case may be brought into court again without the filing of a new
petition. A case in which sentence was suspended and no other disposition (such
as probation) made should be “ continued indefinitely” and this item checked.
If the court placed child under bond to keep the peace or under bond to maintain
good behavior, such disposition should be considered as “ continued indefinitely”
unless the child was also placed on probation. This item should also be checked
for a case in which the persons concerned failed to appear or in which a bench
warrant was issued but not served if no further action is taken within the period of
one year. Similarly, a case continued until a definite date on which it must be
brought into court again for hearing or continued «for a short time for some
definite purpose, the date of subsequent hearing to be fixed later, should be con
sidered as “ continued indefinitely” if no further action is taken within one year.
F ine imposed or payment of costs ordered includes case in which collateral
or bail which has been deposited is ordered forfeited.
C hild referred for criminal prosecution includes child referred to other
court because of the seriousness of the offense.
4
95954— 26
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
18
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
P laced on probation includes case in which child was already on probation
when brought in on a new charge and continued on probation.
P l a c e d u n d e r s u p e r v is io n o f i n d iv id u a l (re’ ative other than parent,
teacher, social worker, etc.) should be checked only when the child is not placed
on probation to the court. It includes a case in which the order is commitment
to the care of an individual (other than parent) .7
C ommitted to board , department, or agency includes child placed in care
of board, department, or agency by order of the court even though the child was
not technically committed. It includes child committed for the purpose of
placement in a family home and child committed for study and decision as to the
kind of treatment needed. It does not include child committed to a special
institution.7
C ommitted to institution for delinquent children includes child placed
in care of institution by order of the court even though the child was not tech
nically committed. Specify type of institution for delinquent children to whose
care child was committed by checking State, county or city, or 'private.1
C ommitted to other institution includes child placed in care of institution
by order of the court even though the child was not technically committed.
Other institution includes hospital, institution for dependent children, etc.7
R eturned home to be checked only in case in which the child was a runaway
or was living away from his home at the time of his arrest or when first referred
to the court.
I n unofficial delinquency cases if more than one disposition was made in
the same case check only one disposition, giving preference according to the order
in which the items are arranged on the card. For example, if the case was “ closed
after adjustment” and the child was also “ placed under supervision probation
officer ” check the latter. If the case was “ closed after adjustment” and the child
was “ referred to agency or other court” check “ referred to agency or other court.”
If the child was “ placed under supervision probation officer” and the services
of another agency were also enlisted check “ placed under supervision probation
officer” and not “ referred to agency or other court.”
Explanation of the items to be used in unofficial delinquency
cases follows:
T o be placed in institution includes case in which parents or guardian agree
to place child in institution or court arranges for such placement and case of
runaway child returned to institution.
R e fer r e d to
o r o th e r co u rt.
a g en cy or oth er cou rt
in clu d es socia l a g en cy , p u b lic or p riv a te ,
R eturned home is to be checked only in case in which the child was a runaway
or was living away from his home at the time of his arrest or when first referred
to the court.
C losed after adjustment includes case in which the judge, referee, or pro
bation officer by personal conference brings about a better understanding be
tween parents and child, complainant and child, etc., or makes a social adjust
ment which relieves the situation.
12. Dealt with in delinquency case—
D ealt with in delinquency case before this year refers to the period pre
ceding the calendar year in which the card is completed. Check “ yes” or “ n o ”
and if “ yes” is checked enter after number of times dealt with the number of times
the child was dealt with in a new delinquency case disposed of prior to the calendar
year referred to above.
D ealt with in delinquency case this year refers to the calendar year in
which the card is completed. Check “ yes” or “ n o ” according to whether or not
the child was dealt with in a new delinquency case disposed of during the calendar
year referred to above.
13. Place o f care pending hearing or disposition o f case.— The place
in which the child was cared for between the reference of his case to
the court and the hearing or disposition. Check as many items on
7If a child was already in care of individual, agency, or institution when brought in on a new charge
and continued in care of same individual, agency (including board or department), or institution, check
“ placed under supervision of individual,” “ committed to hoard, department, or agency,” or “ committed
to institution.” Similarly check “ committed to institution” for child a runaway from an institution or
child on parole from institution brought in on a new charge and parole revoked; or child otherwise absent
from institution responsible for his care who was returned to the institution.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
STATISTICAL CARDS
19
the card as apply; for example, if a child was detained in jail and
later in a boarding home both should be checked. Frequently
children arrested are brought to a place of detention and held only
long enough to permit the parents to be notified and to come for the
child. Such care should not be considered as detention care.
O w n home refers to home in which child ordinarily lives with both parents,
father, mother, relatives, or foster parents.
B oarding home refers to boarding home in which child is placed by court or
•at the request of the court to await hearing or disposition of case.
R eceiving home or shelter of private agency includes receiving home o f
child-placing agency, shelter maintained by Society for Prevention of Cruelty
to Children, and other homes providing temporary care for children.
O ther institution includes any other institution, such as home for dependent
children.
14. Child— white, negro, other.— Check one.
15. Nativity and parentage o f child.— Check one of the items listed
on the card.
N ative , native parentage includes child and both parents born in tho
United States.
N ative , foreign or mixed parentage includes child born in the United
States but one or both parents born elsewhere. Include here case in which one
parent is reported as foreign born but birthplace of other parent is not reported.
N a t iv e , parentage not reported includes child born in the United States
but birthplace of parents not reported. It also includes case in which one
parent is reported as native born but birthplace of other parent is not reported.
F oreign born includes child not born in the United States.
N ativity not reported includes child whose place of birth is not reported^
16. Parental condition and whereabouts o f child when referred to
court.— Check one of the items a to j, inclusive, listed on the card to
show with whom child is living.
W ith mother only includes child with mother and no stepfather with them..
If this item is checked, account for child’s own father by checking one of the
items under d.
F ather deserting includes family deserted by father but parents not divorced.
P arents divorced includes parents legally divorced and mother not re
married.
P arents not married includes child’s own parents not married to each other
and mother not married to anyone.
Other includes parental condition other than those listed on the card such as
father absent because of separation by mutual agreement or because of confine
ment in hospital or correctional institution, or case in which the child’s own father
has been succeeded by a stepfather who has died, deserted, or for some other
reason ceased to be an active member of the family. Specify the condition.
W ith father only includes child with father and no stepmother with them.
If this item is checked account for child’s own mother by checking one of theitems under d.
M other deserting includes family deserted by mother but parents not
divorced.
P arents divorced includes parents legally divorced and father not remarried.
P arents not married includes child’s own parents not married to each other
and father not married to anyone.
Other includes parental condition other than those listed on the card, such as
mother absent because of confinement in hospital or correctional institution, or
case in which the child’s own mother had been succeeded by a stepmother who
has died, deserted, or for some other reason ceased to be an active member of
the family. Specify the condition.
I n adoptive home includes child with foster parent or parents who havelegally adopted him.
I n other family home includes child in home of relatives or friends, boarding
home, free foster home, or wage home. Includes also case in which child i&
living with stepparent and neither of child’s own piarents is in the home.
• I n institution includes child living in institution of any type, including,
hospital.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
20
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
17. Date card completed.— Enter month, day, and year.
N ame op person completing c-ard is included so that it may be possible to
refer to the person who filled out the card if a question should arise regarding
any entry.
Statistical card No. 2 (blue)— Dependency or neglect case.
1 to 8, inclusive— The instructions for these items are the same as
for items 1 to 8, inclusive, on card No. 1. (See p. 15.)
9. Charge.— Check one of the items listed on the card according to
the cause of or reason for dependency or neglect as charged in the
petition, complaint, or report. Where more than one condition is
given in the same case, check each condition and underline the one
which seems to be of the greatest significance.
A bandonment or desertion includes desertion by one or both parents.
I mproper conditions in home includes conditions such as immorality and
intoxication.
I nsufficient parental care refers to child without proper parental care for
such reasons as illness of mother, death of parents, etc. It does not include
child without adequate care by reason of abandonment or desertion or improper
conditions in the home.
F inancial need includes cases in which lack of financial support is the chief
problem.
10. Case disposed o f officially, unofficially.— Check ‘ 1officially” or
“ unofficially” according to the definitions on p. 14.
11. Disposition o f case.— In an official case check one of the items
listed on the card in group a. In an unofficial case check one of the
items listed on the card in group b.
I n official dependency and neglect cases if more than one disposition was
made in the same case, check the most significant disposition from the point of
view of treatment.
P laced under court supervision should not be checked if the child was placed
under supervision to live in an institution. In such a case the child should be
considered as committed to an institution.
Explanation of the items to be used in official dependency and
neglect cases follows :
D ismissed includes case dismissed at the first hearing or after continuance
unaccompanied by supervision. This order terminates the case, and it can not
be reopened unless a new petition is filed. In some courts the term “ discharged"
is used instead of “ dismissed.”
C ontinued indefinitely includes case in which no further action is taken nor
supervision given but jurisdiction is maintained so that if a like situation arises
later the case may be brought into court again without the filing of a new petition.
This item should also be checked for a case in which the persons concerned failed
to appear or in which a bench warrant was issued but not served if no further
action is taken within the period of one year. Similarly, a case continued until a
definite date on which it must be brought into court again for hearing or continued
for a short time for some definite purpose, the date of subsequent hearing to be
fixed later, should be considered as “ continued indefinitely” if no further action
is taken within one year.
P laced under court supervision includes case in which child was already
under supervision when brought in on a new charge and continued under super
vision.
P laced under supervision of individual (relative other than parent,
teacher, social worker, etc.) should be checked only when the child is not placed
under the supervision of the court. It includes cases in which the order is com
mitment to the care of an individual (other than parent).
C ommitted to board , department, or agency includes child placed in care
of board, department, or agency by order of the court even though the child was
not technically committed. It includes child committed for the purpose of
placement in a family home and child committed for study and decision as to the
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
STATISTICAL CARDS
21
kind of treatment needed. It does not include child committed to a specified
institution. Specify type of board, department, or agency to whose care child
was committed by checking State, county, or city, or private child-placing agency (a
private agency which provides foster-home care for children).
C o m m it t ed to in s t it u t io n f o r d e p e n d e n t c h il d r e n includes child plcead in
care of institution by order of the court even though the child was not technically
•committed. Specify type of institution for dependent children to whose care
•child was committed by checking State, county or city, or private.
C o m m it t ed t o o t h e r in s t it u t io n includes child placed in care of institution
by order of the court even though the child was not technically committed.
Other institution includes hospital.
I n u n o f f ic ia l d e p e n d e n c y a n d n e g l e c t c a se s if more than one disposition
was made in the same case, check only one disposition, giving preference accord
ing to the order in which the items are arranged on the card. For example, if
the case was “ closed after adjustment” and the child was also “ placed under
supervision probation officer” check the latter. If the case was “ closed
after adjustment” and the child was “ referred to agency or other court” check
“ referred to agency or other court.” If the child was “ placed under supervision
probation officer” and the services of another agency were also enlisted check
“ placed under supervision probation officer” and not “ referred to agency or
-other court.”
Explanation of 'the items to be used in unofficial dependency and
neglect cases follows:
T o b e p la c e d in in s t it u t io n includes case in which parents or guardian agree
to place child in institution or court arranges for such placement.
R e f e r r e d to a g e n c y o r o t h e r c o u r t in cludes socia l a g en cy (p u b lic or
p r iv a te ) or oth er cou rt.
C l o se d a f t e r a d ju s t m e n t includes case in which the judge, referee, or pro
bation officer makes a social adjustment which relieves the situation.
c. N am es
•o f
o f o t h e r c h il d r e n in t h e f a m il y w h o s e c a se s w e r e d isp o s e d
a t t h is t im e .
The purpose of this item is to make it possible to bring together
the cards of all children belonging to the same family (dealt with on the same,
-charge) and so permit a tabulation based on families represented in dependency
.and neglect cases for Table 6. Enter the names of all children in the family
whose cases were disposed of at the same time as this child’s case-—given names
only if all children have the same family name as the child in question, but
family name and given name if the family name is different as in the case of
•stepchildren of the husband.
12. Dealt with in dependency or neglect case
w it h in d e p e n d e n c y o r n e g l e c t case b e f o r e t h is y e a r refers to the
period preceding the calendar year in which the card is completed. Check “ yes”
•or “ n o ” and if “ yes” is checked enter after number of times dealt with the number
•of times the child was dealt with in a new dependency or neglect case disposed of
prior to the calendar year referred to above.
D e a l t w it h in d e l in q u e n c y c ase t h is y e a r refers to the calendar year in
which the card is completed. Check “ yes” or “ n o ” according to whether or not
the child was dealt with in a new dependency or neglect case disposed of during
the calendar year referred to above.
Thirteen to seventeen, inclusive.— The instructions for these items are the same
as for items 13 to 17 inclusive on card No.. 1 (see pp. — ).
D ealt
Statistical card No. 3 (white)— probation in delinquency case or supervision in
dependency or neglect case.
1. Name o f court.— Name of court preparing the card.
2. Type o f case— delinquency, dependency, or neglect.— Check one
according to whether information relates to probation in a delinquency
ease or supervision in a dependency or neglect case.
3. Probation-office number.— Number given to case in probation
office.
4. Docket number (for official cases only).
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
22
JU V EN ILE COURT STATISTICS
5. Child’s name.— Name of child discharged from probation (super
vision) ; family name first, then give names.
6. Boy, girl.-— Check one.
7. Bate birth— Enter date of child’s birth; month, day, and year.
8. Date placed on probation {under supervision) .— Date child was
placed on probation (under supervision) by the court. Enter month,
day, and year. Check “ officially” or “ unofficially” according to the
definitions on p. 14.
9. Bate discharged from probation (supervision).— Date child was
discharged from probation (supervision). Enter month, day, and
year.
*
10. iReason for discharge from probation (supervision).—-Check one
of the items listed on the card.
R eached age l im it includes child who can not be continued longer on proba
tion (under supervision) because he has reached an age at which under the law he
is no longer subject to probationary supervision. The age limit for probationary
supervision is often higher than for original jurisdiction.
(
\
C ompleted maximum probation period applies only to probation case when
such a period is specified. Occasionally a maximum probation period of a certain
number of years is specified in the la w .'
F urther probationary supervision not recommended includes child for
whom it is not considered necessary or advisable to continue probation (super
vision).
,
.
T ransferred to other court (applies only to probation case) includes child
discharged from probation because of transfer to another court or to another
division of the same court
W hereabouts unknown includes child lost from oversight because he has run
away and can not be found or family has moved away and new address can not be
ascertained.
M oved from jurisdiction of court includes child’s family moved into
territory not under the jurisdiction of this court.
C ommitted to care of includes child discharged from probation (supervision)
because of commitment. Specify type of care to which child is committed by
entering one of the following:
In probation case
Individual.
Board, department, or agency.
Institution for delinquent children.
Other institution.
In supervision case
Individual.
Board, department, or agency.
Institution.
D eath of child refers to death of child who was on probation (under super
vision) .
11. Bate card completed.— Enter month, day, and year.
N ame of person completing card is included so that it may be possible
to refer to the person who filled out the card if a question should arise regard
ing any entry.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
OUTLINES OF TABLES
T a b l e 1.— Types of CASES 1disposed of during year
Court______________ _
Year....... ....... ............
Cases dis
posed of
during
year
Type of case
Total.
Delinquency________________
Dependency or neglect...... ......
Mother ’s allowance__________
Contributing to delinquency..
Contributing to dependency...
Offense against child........ ........
Material witness.....................
Nonsupport............................
Establishment of paternity___
Commitment of feeble-minded.
Other........................................
1 In adult cases each defendant is counted separately and as many times as he was dealt with by the
court on a new charge in a case disposed of officially or unofficially during the year.
T a b l e 2.— Status of delinquency, dependency, and neglect CASES dealt with, by type
of case
Court______ _________
Y ear________________
Cases dealt with during year
Status of case
Total
Delin
quency
cases
Depend
ency and
neglect
cases
a. Case pending at beginning of year........................................ ..........
c. Case disposed of during year__________________________ ______ _
d. Case pending at end of year.......................... ................... ..............
23
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
24
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
T able 3.— Source of complaint in delinquency, dependency, and neglect C A S E S ,,
by sex of child and by type of case and method of disposition
C ou rt________
Y ea r................Delinquency, dependency, and neglect cases—
Disposed of unofficially
Disposed of officially
Source of complaint and type
of case
\
Total
cases
Total
Boys'
cases
Girls'
cases
Total
Boys'
cases
Girls'
cases
Total....... ..........................
Delinquency cases.......... .
Parents or relatives----------------Probation officer.................... .
Police------ - ------------------------School department.....................
School agency.............................
Other________________________
Not reported------ -------------------
(_
Dependency and neglect
cases............- ..................
Parents or relatives----------------Probation officer______________
Police.............. .......................... School department.....................
School agency.............................
Other________________________
Not reported--------------------------
T able 4.— Charges in delinquency CASES, by method of disposition and by sexof child
C ourt________
Year . . _______
Delinquency cases—
Total
Total............................
a. Stealing or attempted
stealing:
(1) Automobile steal
ing......................
(2) Burglary or un
lawful entry___
(3) Bobbery...............
(4) Other.......... .........
b. Truancy............................
c. Bunningaway..................
d. Ungovernable or beyond
parental control.............
e. Sex offense.........................
f. Injury or attempted in
jury to person------------g. Act of carelessness or mis
chief_________________
h. Violating liquor or drug
law, or intoxication.......
i. Other............................. .
j. Not reported......... ..........
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Disposed of officially
Total cases
Charge
Boys'
cases
Girls'
cases
Total
Boys'
cases
Girls'
cases
Disposed of unofficially
Total
Boys'
cases
Girls’
cases
25
OUTLINES OF TABLES
T able 5.— Charges in dependency and neglect CASES, by method of disposition
C ou rt................
Y ea r.................
Dependency and neglect
cases—
Charge
Total
cases
Disposed Disposed
of
of unoffi
officially
cially
Total___________________
a. Abandonment or desertion
b. Abuse or cruel treatment ....... ........
c. Improper conditions in home________
d. Insufficient parental care . . _____
e. Financial need.........................
f. Question of custody.........................
g. Other........... ....................
h. Not reported____________
T able 6.
_
Charges on which F A M IL IE S 1 were dealt with in dependency and
neglect cases, by method of disposition
.
C ou rt................
Y ea r____ ____ _
Families represented in de
pendency and neglect cases—
Charge
Total
Disposed Disposed
of
of unoffi
officially
cially
Total.........................................
a. Abandonment or desertion.. ______
b. Abuse or cruel treatment______________
c. Improper conditions in home...................
d. Insufficient parental care_____________
e. Financial need_____________
f. Question of custody.............................
g. Other..................................................
h. Not reported............. ...................
i Each family is counted separately and as many times as it was dealt with by the court on a new dependuri^Th^year c“ arge lnvolviriS one or more of the children in a case disposed of officially or unofficially
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
26
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
T able 7.— Dispositions in delinquency CASES, by method of disposition and by
sex of child
Court________ _
Year__________ _
Delinquency cases
Disposition of case
Total........................... ......... ........— ................ .—
Cases disposed of officially---------- ------ ---------—
Dismissed---------------------------------------------------- ---------Continued indefinitely-------------------- :-----------------------Restitution or reparation ordered.....................................
Fine imposed or payment of costs ordered--------- ------ —
Child referred for criminal prosecution.................... .......
Child placed on probation........................... .....................
Child placed under supervision of individual..................
Child committed to board, department, or agency—----Child committed to institution for delinquent children:
State institution__________________________—........
County or city institution..........................................
Private institution......................................................
Child committed to other institution..............................
Child returned home------------------------------- ---------------Other disposition----------------------------------------------------Not reported--------- ------------------- ------ --------------- -------Cases disposed of unofficially..................................
Child to be placed in institution.......................................
Child to be placed elsewhere............................................
Child placed under supervision of probation officier-----Referred to agency or other court.....................................
Child returned home----------------------- / ----------------------Closed after adjustment_____________________________
Otherwise closed-----------------------------------------------------Not reported...... .............- ..................—......... - ................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Total
cases
Boys’
cases
Girls’
cases
OUTLINES OF TABLES
T a b l e 8 . — Dispositions
„
Court.................
Year_________
in dependency and neglect CASES, by method of disposition
Disposition of case
Total....... ............................
Cases disposed of officially.
Dismissed.................................._..................... .........
Continued indefinitely........................................................................................................
Child placed under court supervision___ •
____ I” ” ” ” 3I” ” ” ” ” ”
Child placed under supervision of individual ” -11111111111111111111111111111111111
Child committed to board, department, or agency:
State board or department__________________________________
County or city board or department______________________ 1.1.” ” ” ”
_Private child-placing agency____________________ 1-1-111111111111111111111111111
Child committed to institution for dependent children:
State institution__________________________ ___________________
County or city institution...........................I .” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ............................
_Private institution-........................................ ............ .................................................
Child committed to institution for delinquent nhiidrAn ...................... ” ” ! ” ” ” ” ” ”
Child committed to institution for feeble-minded or epileptic chüdren. .
Child committed to institution for physically handicapped ch ild ren ...I......................
Child committed to other institution..................................... ........
" *
Other disposition................. .............................. _........... ...... ” ” ”
...........
Not reported............................_......................................” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ”
Cases disposed of unofficially...___________________________________
Child to be placed in institution____________________________________
Child to be placed elsewhere___________________III” ” ” ” ” ! ”
Child placed under supervision of probation officer-” ! ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ............ ..............
Referred to agency or other court______ _____________ ....
Child returned home_________________________ . ! . ! . ! ! ! ! ! ! ! .” .'.."_ .". ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! '
Closed after adjustment______________ ____________! ! ! ! ! . _ !.".7 .".!!”
Otherwise closed__________________________________ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Not reported______________________ ___________I . ” ” ” ” ! ” ” ” ”
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
27
Depend
ency and
neglect
cases
28
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
T able 9.— Place of care pending hearing or disposition in delinquency CASES,
by age and sex of child.
C ou rt__________
Y ear....... .........
Delinquency cases
Place of care pending hearing or dis
position of case, and sex of child
T ota l.. . . ....... ..................... .
Boys...........................................
Own home_____________________ _
Boarding home.... ............. ............ .
Home of probation officer...................
Detention home............. .....................
Receiving home or shelter of private
agency...............................................
Other institution..... .......................... .
Police station-j___________ ________
Jail....................... . . _ ..........................
Police station or jail and detention
home................ .......................... ......
Police station or jail and other___ . . .
Detention home and other 1...............
Other combination.......... ............ .
O th er..................................................
Not reported.......................................
Girls......... .................................
Own home______ ______ _______ ____
Boarding h o m e ...........................; .
Home of probation officer________ . . .
Detention home...... ....................... .
Receiving home or shelter of private
agency............. .................................
Other institution__________ ________
Police station.......................................
Jail_____ __________________ _______
Police station or jail and detention
home_____ _______________ ______
Police station or jail and other...........
Detention home arid other 1................
Other combination...............................
O ther..____ _______________ _______
Not reported...................... .'................
1 Excludes police station and jail.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Age of child when referred to court
Total
eases
Under
10
years
10.
years,
under
12
12
years,
under
14
14
years,
under
Ì6
16
years,
under
18
18
years, Not re
and
ported
over
29
OUTLINES OF TABLES
T able 10.
Place of care pending hearing or disposition in dependency and neglect
CASES, by age and sex of child
C ou rt.............. .
Y ea r.................
Dependency and neglect eases
Place of care pending hearing or dis
position of case, and sex of child
Total..................... ........_...........
Boys.......................................... .
Own home......................................¿ ,
Boarding home_______ ____________
Home of probation officer_______ ....
Detention home___________________
Receiving home or shelter of private
agency.............................................. .
Other institution;__________________
Police station_____________________
Jail.....................................................3.
Police station or jail and detention
home____ ____ ____ _____________
Police station or jail and other______
Detention home and other i . . ______
Other combination________________
Other___ ____ _____________________
Not reported_______________IIIII.II
Girls...........................................
Own home_____________ ;__________
Boarding home_________
"II
Home of probation officer___ ______
Detention home___________________I
Receiving home or shelter of private
agency............................................. .
Other institution__________________
Police station____________
Jail..............................
"H i;
Police station or jail and detention
home___________________________
Police station or jail and other______
Detention home and other i . _______
Other combination..........................
Other____ _____ ___________________
Not reported.____________________ I!
1
Excludes police station and jail.
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Age of child when referred to court
Total
cases
Under
10
years
10
years,
under
12
12
years,
under
14
14
years,
under
16
16
years,
under
18
18
years, Not re
and
ported
over
30
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
T able 11.— Age and sex of CH ILDREN dealt with in delinquency cases, by method
of disposition of first case disposed of during year
Court............
Y ear__________
Children dealt with on charges of delinquency—
Age of child when referred
to court
Total children
Total
Boys
Girls
Whose cases were dis
posed of officially
Total
Boys
Girls
Whose cases were dis
posed of unofficially
Total
Boys
Girls
Total________________
Under 10 years--------- --------10 years, under 11__________
11 years, under 12__________
12 years, under 13__________
13 years, under 14______ ___
14 years, under 15__________
15 years, under 16__________
16 years, under 17__________
17 years, under 18__________
18 years and over__________
Not reported______________
T able 12.— Age of CH ILDREN dealt with in dependency and neglect cases, by
method of disposition of first case disposed of during year
C ourt.
Y e a r..
Children dealt with on charges
of dependency and neglect—
Age of child when referred to court
Total
children
Total.
Under 1 year_____
1 year, under 2----2 years, under 3__
3 years, under 4__
4 years, under 5__
5 years, under 6__
6 years, under 7__
7 years, under 8__
8 years, under 9—
9 years, under 10...
10 years, under 11.
11 years, under 12..
12 years, under 13.
13 years, under 14.
14 years, under IS
IS years, under 16.
16 years and over.
Not reported____
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Whose,
cases were
disposed
of
officially
Whose
¡ases were
disposed
of un
officially
31
OUTLINES OF TABLES
T able 13.— Number of times CH ILDREN were dealt with in delinquency cases
disposed of during year and disposed of previous year, by sex of child
C o u r t_________ _
Year ..............
T able 14.— Number of times CH ILDREN were dealt with in dependency and
neglect cases disposed of during year and disposed of previous to year
C ourt___ _____ _
Y ea r________ _
"
••
!
.Children dealt with on.charges of dependency and neglect
Number of times dealt with in de
pendency or neglect case disposed
of during year
Total
chil
dren
Number of times dealt with in dependency or heglect case
disposed of previous to year
None
Total................ _•___
One......................
T w o_________
Three...................
Four.................
Five........................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
32
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
T able 15.— Race, nativity, and parentage of CH ILDREN dealt with in delin
quency cases, hy sex of child
Court............... .
Year...................
Children dealt with on
charges of delinquency
Nativity, parentage, and race of child
Total
children
Boys
Girls
Total_________________________________________________________
White:
Native’, foreign or mixed p a r e n t a g e -..............——- - . . ------ ---------
T able 16.— Race, nativity, and parentage of CH ILDREN dealt with in depend
ency and neglect cases, by sex of child
C ourt................
Y ear..__ ____ _
C h ild r e n d ea lt w ith on
charges of dependency and
neglect
Nativity, parentage, and race of child
Total
children
White:
Native) foreign or mixed parentage------------------------- -------- -------------
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Boys
Girls
33
OUTLINES OF TABLES
T able
17.— Parental condition and whereabouts of CH ILDREN dealt with in
delinquency cases, by sex of child
C ou rt__________
Year _________ _
Children dealt with on charges
of delinquency
Parental condition and whereabouts of child when referred to court in
first case disposed of during year
Total
children
Boys
Girls
Total_______________
With both own parents____
With mother and stepfather.
With father and stepmother.
With mother on y:
Father dead................... .
Father deserting....... .....
Parents divorced______
Parents not married___
Other.._______________
With father only:
Mother dead__________
Mother deserting..........
Parents divorced........... .
Parents not married___
Other_________________
In adoptive home__________
In other family home______
In institution______________
Other_______ _____________
Not reported........................ .
T able
18.— Parental condition and whereabouts of CH ILDREN dealt with in
dependency and neglect cases
C ou rt___ ;______
Y e a r ________..
Parental condition and whereabouts of child when referred to court in first case disposed
of during year
Total.........................................
With both own parents___________
With mother and stepfather_______
With father and stepmother_______
With mother only:
Father dead................................
Father deserting.......... ..............
Parents d ivorced ..____________
Parents not married.................
Other............................................
With father only:
Mother dead................. .............
Mother deserting............ .......... .
Parents divorced______________
Parents not married___________
Other_______________________ *.
In adoptive home...............................
In other family home.........................
In institution_____________________
Other___ ________________________
Not reported............*........................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Children
dealt with
on charges
of depend
ency and
neglect
34
T able
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
19.— Status of CASES of delinquent children on probation, by type of pro
bation and by sex of child
Court_________.
Y ear_________.
'
Cases of delinquent children on probation during year
Official probation
Status of case
Total
cases
Total
Boys'
cases
Girls'
cases
Unofficial probation
Total
Boys'
cases
Girls’
cases
a. On probation at beginning of
year......................................
b. Placed on probation during
year......................................
c. Discharged from probation
during year.........j ...............
d. On probation at end of year..
T able
20.— Status of CASES of dependent and neglected children under super
vision, by type of supervision and by sex of child
C ourt__________
Y ear__________
Cases of dependent and neglected children under supervision during year
Official supervision
Status of case
Total
cases
a. Under supervision at begin
ning of year........................
b. Placed under supervision
during year.........................
c. Discharged from supervision
during year________ _____
d. Under supervision at end of
year____________________
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Total
Boys’
cases
Girls'
cases
Unofficial supervision
Total
Boys’
cases
Girls’
cases
m
T a b l e 21.— Duration
C ourt............._.
Y ea r________ _.
of probation in delinquency CASES discharged from probation, by reason for discharge and by type of probation
Cases of delinquent children discharged from probation
Reason for discharge
Duration and type of probation
Official probation cases____
Less than 3 months.
3 months, less than 6.......
6 months, less than 9.
9 months, less than 12.
1 year, less than 18 months _
18 months, less than 2 years___
2 years, less than 3...
3 years, less than 4 ...
4 years, less than 5—_
5 years, and over _
Not reported........
Reached
age limit
or com
pleted
maxi
mum pro
bation
period
Further
proba
tionary
supervi
sion not
recom
mended
Committed to care of—
Moved
Trans
from
ferred to Where
abouts
jurisdic
other
unknown
tion
of
court
court
Board
Individ depart
ual
ment or
agency
Death of
Institu
child
tion for Other in
delin stitution
quent
children
Other
reason
Not re
ported
OUTLINES OP TABLES
Total.................
Total
cases
Unofficial probation cases..................
Less than 3 months______
3 months, less than 6.............
6 months, less than 9..........
9 months, less than 1 2 ........
1 year, less than 18 months........
18 months, less than 2 years........
2 years, less than 3..............
3 years, less than 4........................
4 years, less than 5_____
5 years and ov er...
Not reported_______
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
03
T able
22.— Duration of supervision in dependency and neglect CASES discharged from supervision, by reason for discharge and by
type of supervision
C ourt__ . . . — .
Y ea r_________ _
Cases of dependent and neglected children discharged from supervision
Reason for discharge
Committed to care of—
Duration and type of supervision
Total____________________
Official supervision cases__
Less than 3 months_____________
3 months, less than 6___________
6 months, less than 9__......... .......
9 months, less than 12__________
1 year, less than 18 months______
18 months, less than 2 years..-__
2 years, less than 3______ ______ _
3 years, less than 4 ............... .......
4 years, less than 5_____________
5 years and over_______________
Not reported______ ____ _______
Unofficial supervision cases
Less than 3 months____________
3 months, less than 6_____ ____ _
6 months, less than 9 .____ _____
9 months, less than 12__________
1 year, less than 18 months........ .
18 months, less than 2 years____
2 years, less than 3........................
3 years, less than 4.____________
4 years, less than 5.................. .
5 years and o v e r .........................
Not reported.................................
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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Moved
Further
Reached supervi Where
from
abouts jurisdic
age
sion not
limit
recom unknown tion of
mended
court
Board,
Individ depart
ual
ment, or
agency
Institu
tion
Death
of child
Other
reason
Not re
ported
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
Total
cases
JUVENILE COURT STATISTICS
37
APPENDIX.— DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED
Calendar.— Day sheet or list of cases to come before the judge or referee for
► official action.
Case.— The unit of tabulation upon which this plan is based. Each case repre
sents a child dealt with by the court officially or unofficially on a new delin
quency, dependency, or neglect charge. The number of cases for a given
child is the same as the number of times he has been dealt with on a new charge.
Case referred. A case brought to the attention of the court by informal report
or by the filing of a petition or complaint or other legal paper used to initiate
court action.
Charge— Statement of the type of offense or nature of the conduct for which
the child is referred to court in. a delinquency case and of the condition because
of which the child is referred in a dependency or neglect case. See item 9
P P --------- for list of charges in delinquency cases and item 9, p. — for definitions and partial list of charges in dependency and neglect cases.
Complaint.— A legal paper used to initiate court action (see petition). Also an
informal report by which the case is brought to the attention of the court.
Delinquency case.— A case in which a child is referred to court on one or more
Ptof the charges listed under item 9, card 1, and discussed on p p . -------- .
Dependency case.— A case in which a child is referred to court on one or more
of the charges listed under item 9, card 2, and discussed on p. — .
Disposition of case. In an official case the official court order entered on the
docket. In an unofficial case the arrangement made by a representative of
the court for the adjustment of the difficulty or the care of the child, or the
decision to refer or drop the case.
Docket.— Book containing brief entries showing the important steps taken
by the court in each official case.
Nature of complaint.— See “ charge.”
Official case.— A case placed on the official calendar by the filing of a petition
or complaint, or other legal paper used to initiate court action for adjudication
by the judge or referee.
Official action taken by the court in disposing of a case and entered on
su°h as dismissal, placement of child on probation, commitment of
child to institution, etc.
J*ar.°ie‘ Conditional release from an institution after commitment.
Petition.— A legal paper used to initiate court action.
Probation. A method of dealing with a delinquency case, resulting from official
court order or unofficial arrangement, by which a child is allowed to remain
m bis own home or another family home under the supervision of an official
representative of the court.
Source of complaint.— Person or agency first bringing a case to the attention of
the court (this person or agency is not necessarily the one whose name ap
pears on the petition).
Supervision. A method of dealing with a dependency or neglect case, resulting
from official court order or unofficial arrangement, by which a child is allowed
to remain in his own home or other family home under the supervision of an
official representative of the court.
Unofficial case.— A case not placed on the official calendar by the filing of a
petition or complaint, or other legal paper used to initiate court action, but
disposed of by the judge, referee, probation officer, or other officer of the court.
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https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
@FedFRASER