Global Youth Justice
Www.GlobalYouthJustice.org
The Most Common
Crimes, Offenses and/or Violations
Referred to Local Youth Justice Programs
Which types of juvenile and other referrals will be
accepted in your local Youth Court, Teen Court,
Student Court, Peer Court or Youth Peer Panel?
A Critical Decision Your Community Faces
The Decision on Cases Handled
 There are more than 1,155 local youth courts, teen
courts, peer courts, student courts and youth peer
panels in America.

More than a record 110,000 referrals of youth are now
made to these programs each and every year for a wide
range of crimes, offenses and/violations to include
formal and informal arrests.

Only a few states have limits on the type of crimes,
offenses and/or violations which may be referred to
these Youth Justice programs. Most decision are local
and up to adult organizers.
The Decision on Cases Handled

Most communities struggle with having few to no programs within a
system of graduated sanctions for first and second time low and
mid-level juvenile offenders.

Adult community leaders organizing and supporting these programs
need to strive to avoid the program to become a dumping ground
for all types of crimes, offenses and/or violations. Adopting clear
policies on referrals types will help reduce this. Referral Sources
can dry up quickly if too many cases referred to a Youth Justice
program are referred back based on the case not being accepted.

Program organizers should strive to shorten the time from a juvenile
arrest or apprehension to their appearance in a Youth or Teen Court
program. If this time period is two (2) months or longer – it is not
in the best interests of the youth. Ideally, the time from arrest to
appearing in Youth Justice program should be less than one month.
The Decision on Cases Handled
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The more effective programs, are those which improve upon
existing time frames between arrest and appearing in probation or
before a juvenile judge for disposition. This is often one of the main
reasons for establishing a local Youth Justice program – swifter and
more meaningful consequences.
These programs need “backbone”. If youth referred learn nothing
will happens if they do not complete the program – the program can
easily becomes a joke. Police, Probation, School Officials and
judges need to provide severe consequences to youth who do not
complete their peer imposes sentence – and youth should be made
aware upfront, if they appear in youth court – they will be dealt
with harshly if they do not complete. Adult organizers need to come
up with a policy to address non-completers.
If a referral source can not provide any consequence to the youth
for not completing the program – the program should consider not
taking the referrals from that source, as it could damage the
program and adversely effect referrals of other cases from other
sources.
The Decision on Cases Handled
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A local community with an existing program, or in the
process of establishing a program, should have a
committee comprised of a wide range of disciplines –
who will determine what type of crimes, offenses and/or
violations a local Youth Justice program will accept.
A formal policy should be written and available to the
public. This policy should be included with local MOU’s
with partner organizations and referral sources.
The policy should include type of cases, referral sources,
age of acceptable referrals, geographic area, criteria
such as required transportation, referral process, forms
and confidentiality, recourse for non-completers and
more.
The Decision on Cases Handled

A referral committee to Establish or Enhance a
Youth Justice program often will look at Uniform
Crime Reports (UCR’s), local juvenile arrest data
(Police Departments often have this), School
Reports, and other related data to help
determine what types of cases to accept.

Referring agencies should be key partners.
Youth Justice programs can close and even fail
to begin without cases and written polices in
place. Relationships are critical and so are
professional duties and responsibilities.
National (USA) Data Indicates
Most Youth Justice Programs…
DO NOT take any referrals that are of a
Sexual, Violent and/or of a Psychological
nature.
 DO NOT take any cases that involve
distribution of narcotics.
 DO NOT take third time offenses and
many do not take 2nd time offenses that
have previously appeared in a Youth
Justice program for Sentencing/Disposition

Before Accepting Referrals
Have your municipal attorney’s office sign
off on referral types to accept. An MOU
should be in place with every referral
source that is specific on process.
 Pass or post a non-discriminating policy
based on race, religion, income, etc…
 Make sure to try and avoid any bias at
referral – we want to strive to reduce DMC
with this program.
 Check confidentiality laws with your state
criminal justice agency and AG’s Office.

The Most Common Types of Referrals
Youth Justice Programs Accept are:

1. Theft and Larceny

2. Vandalism

3. Alcohol Offenses

4. Disorderly Conduct
Most Common Referrals
(Continued)

5. Simple Assault (or Battery)
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6. Possession/Use of Marijuana
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7. Tobacco Offenses
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8. Curfew Violations
Most Common Referrals
(Continued)
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9. School Disciplinary Cases

10. Traffic Violations (not DWAI OR DWI)
unless licenses revoked as per state law
and the referral to the program is an
added sanction like a certain number of
community service hours would be.
Most Common Referrals
(Continued)

11. Truancy, Skipping Classes and/or
being late for School without
parental/guardian approval.

12. Criminal Trespass
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13. Criminal Mischief/Criminal Nuisance
Most Common Referrals
(Continued)

14. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
(marijuana only – programs are strongly
discouraged from taking any narcotic
related paraphernalia).

15. Drug Offenses other than marijuana or
alcohol are strongly discouraged despite
some programs accepting these.
Most Common Referrals
(Continued)
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16. Harassment
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17. Fraud
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18. Burglary
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19. False Reporting
Most Common Referrals
(Continued)
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20. Loitering
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21. Possession of Stolen Property
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22. Possession of a weapon referrals are
accepted – it is discouraged to take anything
that was intended for use and no guns and
referrals only taken when law enforcement make
the referral with official arrest. Often this
referral is described as a Swiss army knife taken
to school by mistake – this referral type should
be thoroughly discussed.
Most Common Referrals
(Continued)
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23. Reckless Endangerment
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24. Regulatory Violations
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25. Runaways
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26. Unauthorized Use of Motor Vehicle
(To include passengers driving with an
unlicensed driver)
Consider this Please
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VICTIMS – Let us always consider the victims
and involve them if they are agreeable – it adds
to the program and many victims want this.

VICTIMS should always be compensated if they
lost something and/or are owned compensation
for damage. (When possible).
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Police Officers are often vital partners and
supporters. When ever possible – let the
arresting officer know the outcome of the case
even if the referral was not made by the police
officer – it increases satisfaction with the
program and referrals and involvement.
Consider this Please

Referral sources should be notified immediately
about program completers and non-completers.

Non-Completers should be dealt with harsher
than they would have, if they did not come
through the program. Adults need to back the
youth volunteers helping to operate the Youth
Justice program so it does not turn in to a joke.

Programs close because of no and low numbers
of referrals, maintain positive working
relationships (program quality is paramount).
Need More Information on
Referral Types and Referral Sources?
For more information and suggestions on
determining which types of referrals to accept
and a wide range of resources, visit the Global
Youth Justice website and click on the
Publications Button.
For technical assistance, please contact:
Global Youth Justice
www.GlobalYouthJustice.org
GlobalYouthJustice@GlobalYouthJustice.org