Juvenile Crime
Community and Family (Cross Age)
Note
*: Statistically unstable
Race-Ethnicity categories:
Hispanic, Black, White, Other
Open Justice by the California Department of Justice: Most commonly, self-identification of race/ethnicity is used in the classification and labeling process.
Top 10:
Both misdemeanor and felony level crimes were among the top 10. The largest number of crimes for which youth were arrested was in the category of manslaughter/ assault and battery, followed by aggravated assault. The robbery and weapons offenses categories were also prevalent. Smaller numbers of crimes were committed in categories such as petty theft, larceny, vehicle theft and burglary.
Sources:
Open Justice by the California Department of Justice, https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics/arrests
State of California Department of Justice – OpenJustice Arrests Counties: San Diego County. Years: 2014 – 2023. Offenses: All. Ages: Under 18. Gender: All. Ethnicities: All.
State of California Department of Justice – OpenJustice Arrests Counties: San Diego County. Years: 2014 – 2023. Offenses: All. Ages: Under 18. Gender: Male. Ethnicities: All.
State of California Department of Justice – OpenJustice Arrests Counties: San Diego County. Years: 2014 – 2023. Offenses: All. Ages: Under 18. Gender: Female. Ethnicities: All.
State of California Department of Justice – OpenJustice Arrests Counties: San Diego County. Years: 2014 – 2023. Offenses: All. Ages: Under 18. Gender: Female. Ethnicities: Black.
State of California Department of Justice – OpenJustice Arrests Counties: San Diego County. Years: 2014 – 2023. Offenses: All. Ages: Under 18. Gender: Female. Ethnicities: White.
State of California Department of Justice – OpenJustice Arrests Counties: San Diego County. Years: 2014 – 2023. Offenses: All. Ages: Under 18. Gender: Female. Ethnicities: Hispanic.
State of California Department of Justice – OpenJustice Arrests Counties: San Diego County. Years: 2014 – 2023. Offenses: All. Ages: Under 18. Gender: Female. Ethnicities: Other.
Juvenile Court and Probation Statistical System Note
Population:
CA Department of Finance Demographic Research Unit
Data for 2014-2019 is based on the 2010 census. Data from 2020 onward is based on the 2020 census.
Top10:
Source: San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). (2022). SANDAG CJ Bulletin – Arrests 2022: Law enforcement response to crime in the San Diego region (Tables 26 & 27). San Diego Association of Governments. Retrieved from https://www.sandag.org/-/media/SANDAG/Documents/PDF/data-and-research/criminal-justice-and-public-safety/criminal-justice-research-clearinghouse/cj-bulletin/cj-bulletin-arrests-2022-law-enforcement-response-crime-2024-02.pdf
What is the indicator?
This indicator—the rate of arrests for felony and misdemeanor crimes per 10,000 youth ages 0-17—reports on trends in juvenile crime in San Diego County. Arrests for status offenses such as curfew violations or truancy are not included. Data are collected by law enforcement and available on the State of California Department of Justice- OpenJustice data portal.
Why is this important?
Juvenile arrests can have both immediate and long-term consequences for the young person, their family, and the broader community. An arrest record and involvement in the juvenile justice system can impact a youth’s education, relationships, and future opportunities. Depending on the offense, it may limit access to higher education and employment. Crime also undermines community safety and imposes significant financial and emotional costs on victims and their families.
What strategies can make a difference?
These evidence-based strategies are used across the country to decrease juvenile crime:
- Increase availability of mentoring programs for students in high-crime communities.
- Expand community-based juvenile diversion programs for low-level offenders, in partnership with law enforcement.
- Identify and provide early intervention for youth who are truant.
- Increase programs offering life skills training, vocational education, college readiness, career development, internships, and employment opportunities.
- Expand prevention programs to connect youth to school, encourage positive behavior, and reduce gang involvement (e.g., Gang Violence Reduction Program).
- Provide tailored programs that connect higher risk youth with mentors who have lived experience.