Abstract
In 2010, Connecticut followed the pattern of most other U.S. states by raising the age of juvenile jurisdiction from 15 to 16. This was further raised from 16 to 17 years, 2 years later in July 2012. This sweeping change meant youth were no longer automatically prosecuted as adults in the criminal justice system. Following the change, crimes in Connecticut steadily decreased in line with nationwide trends—However, a subsequent increase in motor vehicle thefts prompted concern among critics of the “raise the age” (RTA) legislation. This study examines the change in Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) county-level index crimes before and after Connecticut changed the maximum age of juvenile jurisdiction from 16 to 17 in 2012, focusing specifically on motor vehicle thefts. Using a weighted difference-in-differences design, we estimate that RTA played a minimal role on the increase in Connecticut auto thefts between 2012 and 2017.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
