The Conflicted Juvenile Delinquency Court afterGault: A Qualitative Examination of Actors and Processes in Two Contemporary Courts

Does Speed Matter? The Association Between Case Processing Time in Juvenile Court and Rearrest

“…This line of research suggests longer case processing times compound negative effects of justice system contact, increasing risk of experiencing severe sanctions and prolonging involvement with the juvenile justice system (Butts et al, 2009). Another body of literature suggests case processing restrictions may hamper judicial ability to divert youth and formulate individualized sanctions (Barrett, 2013; Pennington, 2018). Qualitative studies of juvenile courts indicate judges may elongate case processing times to tailor sanctions to individual needs (Bortner, 1982; Kupchik, 2006) and/or provide youth with opportunities to avoid formal adjudication through diversion programs and treatment services (Barrett, 2013).…”

“…Although helpful, these guidelines often implicitly assume that case processing time has no effect on recidivism or assume shorter case processing times are beneficial to youth outcomes, particularly among detained youth. Although previous research on adolescent development and criminological theory suggests shorter case processing times may be more beneficial for youth (Butts et al, 2009), qualitative research indicates longer case processing times may reflect judicial attempts to avoid formal adjudication (Barrett, 2013; Kupchik, 2006) and individualize the sanctioning process (Pennington, 2018). Quantitative studies on the juvenile justice system examining the association between case processing time and outcomes are limited, leaving questions about the effects of case processing time on rearrest unresolved and the assumptions underlying policies restricting case processing time untested.…”