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Dissertation
Juvenile decertification in Philadelphia County: a model for jurisdiction-specific research
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3289
Abstract
Although most states provide a "fail-safe" mechanism by which youth charged in adult court can be decertified back to the juvenile court's jurisdiction, little research has examined how judges make decertification decisions. This study examined the legal files of 144 juveniles charged as adults in Philadelphia County to examine the factors associated with decertification decisions. Results suggest that in making decertification decisions, the judge appears to have considered and weighted a number of complicated factors. Some risk factors for recidivism identified in previous research were not associated with the legal decision. Older youth, youth committing more serious offenses, youth with a history of probation, and youth described as less amenable to treatment were more likely to remain in adult court. Mental health information provided by the forensic evaluator, specifically substance use information and treatment recommendations, also were associated with the decertification decision.
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Details
- Title
- Juvenile decertification in Philadelphia County
- Creators
- Christina L. Riggs Romaine - DU
- Contributors
- Naomi E. Goldstein (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3289; 991014631951804721