Faculty Publications

Title

Do State Policies Matter in Prosecutor-Reported Juvenile Marijuana Case Disposition?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2014

Abstract

This article examines outcomes for first-time juvenile marijuana possession offenders based on relationships between state policy and local prosecutor self-reported decision making. Specifically, relationships between state statutory penalty data for low-level marijuana possession offenses and prosecutor-reported case outcomes for first-offender juvenile marijuana possession cases are examined. A national sample of prosecutors was interviewed in 2000. Analyses included state statutory policy data in effect as of January 1, 1999, as well as community sociodemographic controls. Results indicated that state statutory policy significantly related to prosecutor-reported juvenile court processing as well as diversion and transfer to criminal court. State statutory policy appears to play a significant role among the legal, resource, and extralegal factors that affect prosecutorial discretion regarding juvenile substance offenders.

Journal Title

Crime & Delinquency

Volume

60

Issue

3

First Page

402

Last Page

426

Link to Full Text

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