An analysis of recent trends in juvenile waiver or transfer hearings in four states reveals that these hearings are increasingly used as avenues whereby officials may impose more serious penalties on youthful offenders charged with serious crimes. While the present research finds no evidence suggesting that juvenile delinquency is increasing or changing from the pattern of delinquency in previous years, the waiver or transfer appears to be used more frequently for juveniles in the 15-17 age range in order to subject them to the jurisdiction of criminal courts. Increased use of waivers seems closely associated with public rejection of rehabilitation and growing support for the “just-desserts” philosophy of punishment in criminal justice. However, the present investigation suggests that waivers do not automatically result in more severe penalties for most juveniles waived to criminal courts.

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