Researchers have long observed differences in rates of serious juvenile and adult offending
among ethnic and racial groups in the United States. These differences have prompted
competing theoretical interpretations and public policy debates. However, conclusions about
the racial differences in serious and violent juvenile offending have been reached primarily
using individual-level data that, when used alone, yield incomplete results. Multilevel
analyses that consider community and contextual factors have the potential to produce a …

This Bulletin describes the racial distribution of serious and violent offending among
juveniles in the United States. It provides a picture of the short-term national trends for
offending patterns by race and ethnicity and summarizes research findings on racial and
ethnic differences in chronic juvenile offending. Various explanations are given for the racial
and ethnic differences observed. The Bulletin includes recommendations for improving
public understanding of these differences and implications for guiding prevention and …