• In 2006, 35,285 juveniles were arrested in Washington; there are 2,478 children and teens in juvenile or adult correctional facilities. In the U.S. more than 2 million teens are arrested each year. -Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2007, Children’s Defense Fund, 2006

• 2005, there were 1,416 violent offense arrests, for a violent offense arrest rate of 2.0 per 1,000 youth age 10-17. This is a 38% decrease from 1996 – the 2005 rate of 2.0 per 1,000 youth for violent crimes is the lowest rate reported since prior to 1982. -Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Report, 2006

• Here in Washington, 48 children and teens were killed by firearms in 2006; specifically there were 17 homicides, 25 suicides, 3 accidents and 3 undetermined.  -Children’s Defense Fund, 2006

• Studies show that the hours from 3 to 6 p.m. on school days is the prime time for teens to commit a crime, be a victim of crime, be in or cause a car crash, smoke, drink or use drugs. -Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2007                                                       

• In 2006, approximately 21% of youth on probation had been diagnosed with a mental health problem (diagnosis, medication, treatment, or medication and treatment). -Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Report, 2006

• In 2007, the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) reports that 64% of youth currently in JRA residential care have “significant mental health issues,” and 85% of the youth in residential care are substance abusers or chemically dependent. -Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Report, 2006

• Due to the change in state law, Truancy petition filings have significantly increased – from 2,203 filings in 1995, when the Becca Law was passed, to an annual average of approximately 14,000 per year from 2001 to 2005. This is more than a 500 percent increase from 1995 to 2005. At-Risk Youth petition filings have increased from 749 filings in 1995, to an average of approximately 2,100 annually from 1997 to 2005. -Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Report, 2006

• There were almost 3,800 admissions of status offenders to juvenile detention facilities in 2005 for violations of a court order/proceeding related to a status offense (contempt of court); approximately one-half were girls. -Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Report, 2006  

• Females accounted for approximately 30% of all 2005 juvenile arrests. This is an increase of 14% in the percent of total arrests for girls from 1996. Females represented 10.3% of juveniles held in JRA (average per month) in 2006. This is an increase of 36% from 1997 when females represented 7.6%. -Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Report, 2006

• Youth of color accounted for 32% of all 2004 juvenile court offense referrals. This is a 10% increase from 2003 (29% of referrals were for youth of color).Youth of color represented approximately 47% of juveniles held in JRA (average per month) in 2006. -Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee Report, 2006

• Investments in effective programs for juvenile offenders have the highest net benefit. Such programs yield from $1,900 to $31,200 per youth. -Washington Institute for Public Policy; Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Youth, 2004

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