Adolescents and violent crime

Violent crime is a key social and public issue that significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality of adolescents and places a significant economic burden on society. Overall, juveniles (legally described as adolescents under 18) are responsible for only 19% of all violent crime committed in the United States. However, the peak age incidence for violent offenders is 18, well within the spectrum of the adolescent age grouping. Over the past 10 years, arrests for juvenile crime have increased by 67%, leading some experts to worry that, given the expected increase in the size of the juvenile population by the year 2010, the number of arrests for juvenile crime will double. Fortunately, there has been a decline in the rates of juvenile violent crime over the past 2 years. This article reviews statistical trends, contributing factors and innovative approaches to prevention and intervention.