A Comparison of Re-arrest Outcomes Between Youth in Juvenile Drug Court, Teen Court, Probation, and Dismissed Cases

Abstract

This study identified populations served by diversion and explored potential effects of diversion by comparing re-arrest among diverted youth, youth on probation, and youth whose case were dismissed using a large sample of low-risk youth in Florida. Using propensity score estimation, results found youth who participated in teen court or drug court or who were on probation were more likely to be re-arrested within 1 year compared to youth whose case was dismissed. Juvenile drug court participants were more likely to be re-arrested than teen court participants. Youth on probation were more likely to be re-arrested compared to teen court participants, but there was no significant difference in re-arrest between youth on probation and juvenile drug court participants.