North Dakota Courts Annual Report 2005

This year's data shows a slight increase in juvenile offenses. Overall referrals (see chart on pages 18-19) showed an increase of 1% between 2004 and 2005 after a decrease of 7% from 2003 to 2004.

As with the criminal caseload, the low violent crime rate in North Dakota is reflected in its juvenile court statistics. Offenses against persons made up 8% of the juvenile court caseload. Meanwhile, status offenses (offenses which only a child can commit) made up 20% of the caseload. Property offenses comprise 19%; traffic offenses,4%; deprivation, 12%; and other delinquency, 37% of the juvenile caseload.

The method by which cases were disposed shows a continued reliance on adjusted/diverted proceedings. Of the cases heard, 59% were disposed of through adjusted/diverted proceedings in 2005, compared to 56% in 2004 and 57% in 2002. The use of informal probation adjustments increased in 2005. The formal juvenile court caseload also reflects an increase over previous years. Tables comparing the types of dispositions and reasons for referral to the juvenile court in 2004 and 2005 follow. As in previous years, the illegal possession or purchase of alcoholic beverages continues to be the most common single reason for referral to the juvenile court.