Juvenile Arrest Statistics Show Downward Trend in the U.S. and Florida

In 2014, there were around one million juvenile arrests in the United States, according to juvenile arrest statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

This number might seem high, but it actually indicates a 50 percent drop from the total number of juvenile arrests in 2005. The State of Florida has also seen a drop in the number of arrests for citizens under the age of 18.

The Number of Juvenile Delinquency Arrests Are Down Across the Country

Of the 1,024,000 juvenile arrests across the country in 2014, the offenses ranged drastically, from serious, violent crimes such as murder to lesser, non-violent offenses such as vandalism and disorderly conduct.

Violent Crimes

In 2014, there were 53,500 total juvenile arrests for violent crimes. These arrests included:

• 30,100 arrests for aggravated assault
• 19,400 arrests for robbery
• 3,300 arrests for rape
• 800 arrests for murder or “nonnegligent manslaughter”

Property Crimes

In 2014, there were 234,200 total juvenile arrests for property crimes. These arrests included:

• 178,000 arrests for larceny-theft
• 40,300 arrests for burglary
• 12,700 arrests for auto theft
• 3,200 arrests for arson

Other Crimes

Some of the arrests for crimes not classified as violent or property crimes include:

• 139,100 arrests for non-aggravated assaults
• 80,800 arrests for disorderly conduct
• 53,700 arrests for curfew & loitering
• 45,200 arrests for vandalism
• 20,700 arrests for possession of weapons
• 10,400 arrests for possession of stolen property
• 4,300 arrests for fraud
• 700 for prostitution

Drug & Alcohol-Related Crimes

In 2014, the following juvenile arrests related to drugs or alcohol:

• 112,600 arrests for drug abuse violations
• 53,300 arrests for liquor law violations
• 7,000 arrests for driving under the influence
• 6,500 arrests for drunkenness

Florida’s Juvenile Delinquency Arrests Are Down

According to juvenile arrest statistics provided by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), the State of Florida followed national trends in lower numbers of overall juvenile delinquency arrests.

The DJJ said of these statistics, “The majority of the Department’s key indicators of public safety and delinquency in Florida are trending in the right direction. There are fairly substantial reductions in almost every major offense category, including the most serious juvenile offenses.”

Among Florida’s 1.8 million adolescents aged 10-17 years old, the most common misdemeanor was simple assault and battery which totaled 11,885 arrests. The most common felony was burglary with 8,874 delinquency arrests.

Juvenile Felonies in Florida

According to the DJJ, during the 2012 to 2013 period, delinquency arrests for felonies were down 17 percent overall, including:

• Aggravated assault & battery down 20 percent (6,391 to 5,113)
• Armed robbery down 13 percent (808 to 706)
• Sexual battery down 6 percent (812 to 765)
• Murder/manslaughter down 52 percent (88 to 42)
• Burglary down 19 percent (10,910 to 8,874)

Drug & Alcohol-Related Crimes in Florida

Crimes related to drugs and alcohol among juveniles also decreased. The data showed: 

• Felony drug arrests down 28 percent (2,721 to 1,968)
• Misdemeanor drug arrests down 20 percent (8,489 to 6,768)
• Alcohol offense arrests down 16 percent (1,416 to 1,193)

Overall, the total number of Florida youths arrested for delinquency is down 24 percent since the 2010 to 2011 time period. Additionally, fewer juveniles are being put on probation or sent to juvenile detention facilities. Likewise, juvenile admissions to jail declined 26 percent.

Help with Juvenile Defense

If your teen is facing juvenile delinquency charges, you will need a strong defense. Call the juvenile defense attorneys at Goldman Wetzel for help today: 727-828-3900.