Juvenile Delinquency Statistics for Morgan County 1997

Index

Introduction:

During calendar year 1997, 381 juvenile delinquency cases were presented to the Morgan Superior Court No. 2 for disposition [up from 322 cases in 1996]. Of these 381 cases, 256 cases were resolved through formal juvenile court proceedings and disposition, and 125 cases were resolved by informal adjustment through the Morgan County Probation Department.

In comparing adult criminal cases filed in all of the Morgan Circuit and Superior Courts with the juvenile delinquency cases formally filed with Superior Court No. 2, we note the following:

• 40% of all residential burglary charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 9% in 1996.
• 28% of all non-residential burglary charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 5% in 1996.
• 29% of all Residential Entry charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 18% in 1996.
• 19% of all Theft charges and 18% of all Receiving Stolen Property charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- down from 22% (Theft) and up from 6% (Receiving) in 1996.
• 18% of all Auto Theft charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles -- up from 6% in 1996.
• 16% of all Criminal Conversion charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles.
• 37% of all Child Molesting charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles.
• 25% of all Handgun Violation charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles.
• 12% of all Marijuana Possession charges filed in 1997 were committed by juveniles.

Secure Detention Costs

The per diem costs to Morgan County of placing juvenile delinquent offenders in the Johnson County Juvenile Detention Facility decreased in 1997, as compared to 1996. According to the weekly detention statistics maintained by the Morgan Superior Court No. 2, the total costs of secure detention of juvenile delinquent offenders in 1997 was approximately $179,900.00 (average cost: $3459.00 per week). By comparison, the total costs of secure detention of juvenile delinquent offenders in 1996 was approximately $214,686.00 (average cost: $4128.00 per week).

Juvenile Probation Supervision Stats

As of January 1, 1997, 154 juvenile delinquency cases were under supervision by the Juvenile Probation officers of Morgan County. During 1997, 302 new probation cases were referred to probation supervision; of that total, 164 Delinquents and Status offenders were placed under formal probation supervision, and 125 Delinquents and Status offenders were placed under informal probation adjustment and supervision. Also during 1997, 246 probation cases were completed and closed. As of December 31, 1997, 210 juvenile delinquency cases were open and under supervision by the Juvenile Probation officers.

Here is a table summarizing Juvenile Delinquency Probation Cases supervisions for 1997:

Total Supervisions Pending on 1/1/97		154
Total Supervisions Opened during 1997		302
Formal Probation - Delinquents	101
Formal Probation - Status Delinquents	63
Informal Adjustment - Delinquents	54
Informal Adjustment - Status Delinquents	71
Transfers in: Intra/Inter State	2
Supervisions Completed/Closed during 1997		246
Supervisions Pending on 12/31/97		210

Waiver of Jurisdiction in Juvenile Delinquency Cases to Adult Court

In 1997, 10 juvenile delinquency cases filed with the Morgan Superior Court No. 2 were waived to adult criminal court for disposition (a decrease from 12 cases waived in 1996) under the waiver of jurisdiction provisions of the Indiana Juvenile Code. In addition, and as a result of changes in the juvenile code enacted by the General Assembly, several new classifications of criminal offenses committed by persons under age 18 are now filed directly in adult criminal court.

Commitments to I.D.O.C. juvenile facilities

Indiana Department of Correction, Juvenile Correctional Facility Population: Overcrowding in Department of Correction Juvenile Facilities persists; however, the problem is now being addressed by the Indiana General Assembly and the Department of Correction. As of December 8, 1997:

• The Logansport Juvenile Intake facility was 133% over capacity (no change from 133% during the same period in 1996) resulting in delays in admitting juvenile offenders to the Department of Correction;
• The Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility [for female juveniles] was 16% over capacity (down from 20% during the same period in 1996);
• All Department of Correction juvenile facilities, combined, were 1% over capacity (down from 8% during the same period in 1996).
• Seven (7) private contract facilities were utilized by the Department of Correction to add bed space and reduce overcrowding in 1997.

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Crime Statistics:

Morgan County Juvenile/Adult Crime Stats Sheet - 1997

Comparison of Formal Charges filed by State of Indiana against Juveniles/Adults in Morgan County

Source: Morgan Circuit and Superior Courts JTS Records, 1997

Property Crimes:

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Crimes Against Persons:

Drugs and Alcohol:

Vehicle Crimes:

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Other Crimes:

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©  Christopher L. Burnham, 1998