SJCACC Attachments with Table of Contents

SJCACC Attachments.pdf

2014 Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adult Criminal Court (SJCACC)

SJCACC Attachments with Table of Contents

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Attachment 1: The Omnibus and Crime Control Act of 1968

Attachment 2: BJS Participant Letter

Attachment 3: Juvenile and U.S. Population Counts

Attachment 4: 2014 SJCACC Electronic Extraction Guide

Attachment 5: 2014 SJCACC Hard Copy Extraction Guide

Attachment 6: 2014 Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adult Criminal Court

Attachment 7: Follow Up Letter for Electronic Data

Attachment 8: Follow Up Letter for Survey

Attachment 1: The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968

DERIVATION
Title I
THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968
(Public Law 90-351)
42 U.S.C. § 3711, et seq.
AN ACT to assist State and local governments in reducing the incidence of crime, to increase the effectiveness,
fairness, and coordination of law enforcement and criminal justice systems at all levels of government, and for other
purposes.
As Amended By
THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL ACT OF 1970
(Public Law 91-644)
THE CRIME CONTROL ACT OF 1973
(Public Law 93-83)
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION ACT OF 1974
(Public Law 93-415)
THE PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS’ BENEFITS ACT OF 1976
(Public Law 94-430)
THE CRIME CONTROL ACT OF 1976
(Public Law 94-503)
THE JUSTICE SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1979
(Public Law 96-157)
THE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1984
(Public Law 98-473)
STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1986
(Public Law 99-570-Subtitle K)
THE ANTI-DRUG ABUSE ACT OF 1988
TITLE VI, SUBTITLE C - STATE AND LOCAL NARCOTICS CONTROL
AND JUSTICE ASSISTANCE IMPROVEMENTS
(Public Law 100-690)
THE CRIME CONTROL ACT OF 1990
(Public Law 101-647)
BRADY HANDGUN VIOLENCE PROTECTION ACT
(Public Law 103-159)
VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1994
(Public Law 103-322)
NATIONAL CHILD PROTECTION ACT OF 1993, AS AMENDED
(Public Law 103-209)
and
CRIME IDENTIFICATION TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998
(Public Law 105-251)

BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS
CHAPTER 46 - SUBCHAPTER III
[TITLE I - PART C]
42 USC § 3731

[Sec. 301.] Statement of purpose

It is the purpose of this subchapter [part] to provide for and encourage the collection and
analysis of statistical information concerning crime, juvenile delinquency, and the
operation of the criminal justice system and related aspects of the civil justice system and
to support the development of information and statistical systems at the Federal, State,
and local levels to improve the efforts of these levels of government to measure and
understand the levels of crime, juvenile delinquency, and the operation of the criminal
justice system and related aspects of the civil justice system. The Bureau shall utilize to
the maximum extent feasible State governmental organizations and facilities responsible
for the collection and analysis of criminal justice data and statistics. In carrying out the
provisions of this subchapter [part], the Bureau shall give primary emphasis to the
problems of State and local justice systems.
42 USC § 3732

[Sec. 302.] Bureau of Justice Statistics

(a) Establishment. There is established within the Department of Justice, under the
general authority of the Attorney General, a Bureau of Justice Statistics (hereinafter
referred to in this subchapter [part] as “Bureau”).
(b) Appointment of Director; experience; authority; restrictions. The Bureau shall be
headed by a Director appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of
the Senate. The Director shall have had experience in statistical programs. The Director
shall have final authority for all grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts awarded by
the Bureau. The Director shall report to the Attorney General through the Assistant
Attorney General. The Director shall not engage in any other employment than that of
serving as Director; nor shall the Director hold any office in, or act in any capacity for,
any organization, agency, or institution with which the Bureau makes any contract or
other arrangement under this Act.
(c) Duties and functions of Bureau. The Bureau is authorized to–
(1) make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with public
agencies, institutions of higher education, private organizations, or private
individuals for purposes related to this subchapter [part]; grants shall be made
subject to continuing compliance with standards for gathering justice statistics set
forth in rules and regulations promulgated by the Director;
(2) collect and analyze information concerning criminal victimization, including
crimes against the elderly, and civil disputes;
(3) collect and analyze data that will serve as a continuous and comparable
national social indication of the prevalence, incidence, rates, extent, distribution,
and attributes of crime, juvenile delinquency, civil disputes, and other statistical
factors related to crime, civil disputes, and juvenile delinquency, in support of
national, State, and local justice policy and decisionmaking;
(4) collect and analyze statistical information, concerning the operations of the
criminal justice system at the Federal, State, and local levels;

(5) collect and analyze statistical information concerning the prevalence,
incidence, rates, extent, distribution, and attributes of crime, and juvenile
delinquency, at the Federal, State, and local levels;
(6) analyze the correlates of crime, civil disputes and juvenile delinquency, by the
use of statistical information, about criminal and civil justice systems at the
Federal, State, and local levels, and about the extent, distribution and attributes of
crime, and juvenile delinquency, in the Nation and at the Federal, State, and local
levels;
(7) compile, collate, analyze, publish, and disseminate uniform national statistics
concerning all aspects of criminal justice and related aspects of civil justice,
crime, including crimes against the elderly, juvenile delinquency, criminal
offenders, juvenile delinquents, and civil disputes in the various States;
(8) recommend national standards for justice statistics and for insuring the
reliability and validity of justice statistics supplied pursuant to this chapter [title];
(9) maintain liaison with the judicial branches of the Federal and State
Governments in matters relating to justice statistics, and cooperate with the
judicial branch in assuring as much uniformity as feasible in statistical systems of
the executive and judicial branches;
(10) provide information to the President, the Congress, the judiciary, State and
local governments, and the general public on justice statistics;
(11) establish or assist in the establishment of a system to provide State and local
governments with access to Federal informational resources useful in the
planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs under this Act;
(12) conduct or support research relating to methods of gathering or analyzing
justice statistics;
(13) provide for the development of justice information systems programs and
assistance to the States and units of local government relating to collection,
analysis, or dissemination of justice statistics;
(14) develop and maintain a data processing capability to support the collection,
aggregation, analysis and dissemination of information on the incidence of crime
and the operation of the criminal justice system;
(15) collect, analyze and disseminate comprehensive Federal justice transaction
statistics (including statistics on issues of Federal justice interest such as public
fraud and high technology crime) and to provide technical assistance to and work
jointly with other Federal agencies to improve the availability and quality of
Federal justice data;
(16) provide for the collection, compilation, analysis, publication and
dissemination of information and statistics about the prevalence, incidence, rates,
extent, distribution and attributes of drug offenses, drug related offenses and drug
dependent offenders and further provide for the establishment of a national

clearinghouse to maintain and update a comprehensive and timely data base on all
criminal justice aspects of the drug crisis and to disseminate such information;
(17) provide for the collection, analysis, dissemination and publication of
statistics on the condition and progress of drug control activities at the Federal,
State and local levels with particular attention to programs and intervention
efforts demonstrated to be of value in the overall national anti- drug strategy and
to provide for the establishment of a national clearinghouse for the gathering of
data generated by Federal, State, and local criminal justice agencies on their drug
enforcement activities;
(18) provide for the development and enhancement of State and local criminal
justice information systems, and the standardization of data reporting relating to
the collection, analysis or dissemination of data and statistics about drug offenses,
drug related offenses, or drug dependent offenders;
(19) provide for research and improvements in the accuracy, completeness, and
inclusiveness of criminal history record information, information systems, arrest
warrant, and stolen vehicle record information and information systems and
support research concerning the accuracy, completeness, and inclusiveness of
other criminal justice record information;
(20) maintain liaison with State and local governments and governments of other
nations concerning justice statistics;
(21) cooperate in and participate with national and international organizations in
the development of uniform justice statistics;
(22) ensure conformance with security and privacy requirement of section 3789g
of this title and identify, analyze, and participate in the development and
implementation of privacy, security and information policies which impact on
Federal and State criminal justice operations and related statistical activities; and
(23) exercise the powers and functions set out in subchapter VIII [part H] of this
chapter [title].
(d) Justice statistical collection, analysis, and dissemination. To insure that all justice
statistical collection, analysis, and dissemination is carried out in a coordinated manner,
the Director is authorized to–
(1) utilize, with their consent, the services, equipment, records, personnel,
information, and facilities of other Federal, State, local, and private agencies and
instrumentalities with or without reimbursement therefor, and to enter into
agreements with such agencies and instrumentalities for purposes of data
collection and analysis;
(2) confer and cooperate with State, municipal, and other local agencies;
(3) request such information, data, and reports from any Federal agency as may be
required to carry out the purposes of this chapter [title];
(4) seek the cooperation of the judicial branch of the Federal Government in

gathering data from criminal justice records; and
(5) encourage replication, coordination and sharing among justice agencies
regarding information systems, information policy, and data.
(e) Furnishing of information, data, or reports by Federal agencies. Federal agencies
requested to furnish information, data, or reports pursuant to subsection (d)(3) of this
section shall provide such information to the Bureau as is required to carry out the
purposes of this section.
(f) Consultation with representatives of State and local government and judiciary. In
recommending standards for gathering justice statistics under this section, the Director
shall consult with representatives of State and local government, including, where
appropriate, representatives of the judiciary.
42 USC § 3733

[Sec. 303.] Authority for 100 per centum grants

A grant authorized under this subchapter [part] may be up to 100 per centum of the total
cost of each project for which such grant is made. The Bureau shall require, whenever
feasible as a condition of approval of a grant under this subchapter [part] , that the
recipient contribute money, facilities, or services to carry out the purposes for which the
grant is sought.
42 USC § 3735

[Sec. 304.] Use of data

Data collected by the Bureau shall be used only for statistical or research purposes, and
shall be gathered in a manner that precludes their use for law enforcement or any purpose
relating to a particular individual other than statistical or research purposes.

Attachment 2: BJS Participant Letter

July 24, 2014

Name
Title
Address
Address
Address
Dear ?:

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has initiated a data collection to examine young offenders
processed in adult criminal courts. The project is one of the first efforts to collect national level statistics
on this issue, and will provide high quality data of potential benefit to criminal justice planners, decision
makers, and researchers. To achieve the project’s goals, BJS is requesting information on the availability
of key measures in your court’s case management system. The locations, availability, and reliability of
these data are of critical importance to the sampling and collection procedures of this study.
The project sample will be drawn from youths under the age of 18 processed in adult criminal courts, with
an oversampling of those juveniles transferred to criminal court by a judicial waiver, prosecutorial
discretion, or legislative exclusion. Information collected will include demographic characteristics, state
fingerprint-based ID number, arrest date, arrest charge(s), date of court referral, court charge(s),
adjudication type and date, and sentence length and type.
BJS has retained Westat and the National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) to collect data on the
processing of youths in adult court. A representative from one of these agencies will be contacting you
shortly to discuss the reliability of the above information in your system and the availability for inclusion
in this collection.
Consistent with its mission, BJS is authorized to collect these data and will use them solely for research
and statistical purposes only as described in Title 42, U.S.C. §3735 and §3789g (enclosed).
Your cooperation in providing us this information will greatly assist this study.
Sincerely,

William J. Sabol
Acting Director
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Attachment 3: Juvenile and U.S. Population Counts

Juvenile and U.S. Population Counts

Primary
Stratum
(H)

FIPstate State Postal

State

Upper age of
Population under juvenile
juvenile court
court jurisdiction (Age 10
jurisdiction Total Population - 2008
to Upper age) -2008

Transfer
Volume
Category

Via Upper age of JV
court original
jurisdiction

Via Transfer
(Best Guess)

All juveniles in
adult criminal
courts

(N1)

(N2)

(Nh)

Alabama

4,661,900

504,393

686

Colorado

4,939,456

513,434

166

Connecticut

3,501,252

282,285

7,369

110

7,479

District of Columbia

591,833

47,053

Iowa

3,002,555

319,690

1,200

Massachusetts

6,497,967

570,147

6,483

1,253

7,736

Minnesota

5,220,393

560,269

Montana

967,440

100,950

New Jersey

8,682,661

933,715

220

New Mexico

1,984,356

217,278

New York

19,490,297

1,484,686

39,203

602

39,805

Pennsylvania

12,448,279

1,291,420

640

Rhode Island

1,050,788

107,302

South Carolina

4,479,800

408,678

7,144

166

7,310

South Dakota

804,194

87,232

Vermont

621,270

62,778

955

Washington

6,549,224

692,830

Juvenile and U.S. Population Counts
Total, Stratum 1

85,493,665

8,184,140

60,201

6,419

66,620

Arizona

6,500,180

719,454

605

Illinois

12,901,563

1,234,319

14,644

458

15,102

Kansas

2,802,134

305,591

Michigan

10,003,422

972,427

12,966

107

13,073

Nebraska

1,783,432

193,551

689

Virginia

7,769,089

802,943

1,342

Wisconsin

5,627,967

518,477

6,489

480

6,969

47,387,787

4,746,762

34,099

3,736

37,835

Total, Stratum 2

Primary
Stratum
(H)

FIPstate State Postal

State

Upper age of
Population under juvenile
juvenile court
court jurisdiction (Age 10
jurisdiction Total Population - 2008
to Upper age) -2008

Transfer
Volume
Category

Via Upper age of JV
court original
jurisdiction

Via Transfer
(Best Guess)

All juveniles in
adult criminal
courts

(N1)

(N2)

(Nh)

Florida

18,328,340

1,782,855

3,592

Texas

24,326,974

2,461,511

26,484

203

26,687

42,655,314

4,244,366

26,484

3,795

30,279

Total, Stratum 3

Delaware

873,092

91,094

Hawaii

1,288,198

122,553

Juvenile and U.S. Population Counts
4

Idaho

1,523,816

177,035

Maine

1,316,456

131,238

Missouri

5,911,605

555,139

7,383

7,480

North Carolina

9,222,414

717,283

22,171

22,214

North Dakota

641,481

64,446

Oregon

3,790,060

389,457

401

Utah

2,736,424

340,091

Total, Stratum 4

27,303,546

2,588,336

29,554

776

30,330

Total, Strata 1 through 4

202,840,312

19,763,604

150,338

14,726

165,064

Arkansas

2,855,390

308,854

300

California

36,756,666

4,167,898

1,201

Georgia

9,685,744

955,615

15,405

545

15,950

Louisiana

4,410,796

427,034

7,398

229

7,627

Mississippi

2,938,618

338,171

Nevada

2,600,167

284,805

117

New Hampshire

1,315,809

121,837

1,387

1,412

Ohio

11,485,910

1,249,659

290

Oklahoma

3,642,361

391,286

150

Attachment 4: 2014 SJCACC Electronic Extraction Guide

Survey of Juveniles Charged as Adults
in Criminal Courts (SJCACC): 2014
United States Department of Justice
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Electronic Data Extraction Guide

June 2014
Prepared by:
Westat / National Center for Juvenile Justice

Table of Contents
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ 1
What is the Study about?..................................................................................................... 2
Will the data be secure and kept confidential?.................................................................... 2
How do I provide the data for my jurisdiction? .................................................................. 3
Uniform Data Extracts ........................................................................................................ 4
What data elements do I include? ................................................................................... 4
How should my file be structured? ................................................................................. 4
What unit of count do I use? ....................................................................................... 4
What cases do I include? ................................................................................................. 5
What file formats are acceptable? ................................................................................... 5
What supporting documentation do I need to submit? ................................................... 5
How do I submit my files? .............................................................................................. 5
Non-Uniform Data Extracts ................................................................................................ 7
What data elements do I include? ................................................................................... 7
What cases do I include? ................................................................................................. 7
What file formats are acceptable? ................................................................................... 7
What supporting documentation do I need to submit? ................................................... 8
How do I submit my files? .............................................................................................. 8
Unformatted Data Files ....................................................................................................... 9
What file formats are acceptable? ................................................................................... 9
What supporting documentation do I need to submit? ................................................... 9
How do I submit my files? ............................................................................................ 10
How do I contact you if I have questions? ........................................................................ 10
Appendix A: Key concepts and definitions ...................................................................... 11
Appendix B: Preferred offense coding categories ............................................................ 13
Appendix C: Uniform Extract Data Layout ...................................................................... 16
Appendix D: Uniform Extract Suggested Coding ............................................................ 19
1

Survey of Juveniles Charged as Adult in Criminal Courts: 2014
(SJCACC)
Electronic Data Extraction Guide
What is the Study about?
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has initiated a data
collection to examine young offenders processed in criminal courts. The SJCACC
sample will be drawn from all felony and misdemeanor cases disposed in criminal courts
in 2014 involving defendants younger than age 18 at the time of the crime. This
information is critical to understanding how many youth are charged in criminal court,
the characteristics of these youth, the pathways that lead them to criminal court, and the
final disposition of their cases.
BJS has retained Westat, a nationally known and highly regarded survey research firm,
and the National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) a national expert on juvenile
offenders and on state policies for transferring juveniles to adult criminal courts, to
collect data on the processing of youth as adults in criminal court. Westat and the NCJJ
have developed a project design that supports multiple modes of data collection. The
ability to collect data electronically from automated information systems is ultimately
influenced by each jurisdiction’s capacity to extract (or dump) the necessary data from
their system. The purpose of this data extraction guide is (1) to describe the eligible
modes of electronic data submissions, and (2) to provide a set of reporting instructions
and standards for jurisdictions that have the capacity to extract data and create records in
a uniform format.

We understand that there may be policies in place requiring you to limit the amount or
type of data you can release. While each of the identified data elements are critical to
fully understand the processing of youth charged as adults, we are willing to discuss and
adhere to any data transfer agreement you may have.

How do I provide the data for my jurisdiction?
This document will provide general instructions on reporting requirements, case
identification and selection, variable and value definitions, and file structure. Additional
technical assistance will be provided on a case-by-case basis.
Your jurisdiction may choose to provide data in one of three ways:
1. uniform data extracts,
2. non-uniform data extracts, or
3. unformatted data files.
The rest of this guide provides information and instructions for each type of data
submission.

Uniform Data Extracts
Uniform extracts will require the most effort on the part of your jurisdiction to recode
and restructure data to the project’s specifications. Uniform data extracts, if created
properly, will require the least amount of work for you after submission.
What data elements do I include?
The first step in creating a data extract is identifying the tables necessary to provide the
key data elements (identified in Appendix C). For example, this may include an arrest
table (all arrest charges in the event), arraignment table (all arraignment charges in the
event) and a disposition table (all disposition charges with sentencing information). The
name, number, and structure of tables will vary for each jurisdiction.
Some of the data elements of interest include:
 unique offender identification number capable of tracking the offender through
case processing and to subsequent involvement in the criminal justice system;
 offender demographics (e.g., sex, date of birth, race/ethnicity);
 legal mechanism employed to process the case in criminal court.
 arrest charge(s);
 arraignment charge(s);
 case processing information from arraignment through final case disposition; and
 type of facility where defendant is being held.
Please refer to Appendix C for a detailed listing of data elements.
How should my file be structured?
If your jurisdiction is able to provide a uniform data extract, you will have to establish
relationships between the appropriate fields and records of source tables and the targeted
output layout. Where possible, uniform extract submissions should mirror the preferred
data element coding noted in Appendix D.
The file should be structured according to the uniform reporting layout in Appendix C.
The layout for uniform extracts includes a record for each charge against a defendant that
was disposed, meaning that some records may have information duplicated (i.e., case and
defendant identifiers, demographic information).
We will provide an Excel workbook containing the data element layout with suggested
coding classification options and value labels. You can save a copy locally to enter
information directly or simply use it as a guide.
What unit of count do I use?
Jurisdictions choosing to submit a uniform data extract should structure their data at the
charge-level, where more than one charge may be filed against a single defendant. A
"charge" (or “count”) represents a formal allegation that a person committed a specific
crime. A youth charged with four burglaries submitted in one allegation would contribute
four records in the data extract. A youth arrested for three burglaries and arrested again
4

the following week on another burglary charge would also contribute four separate
records.
Charges (felony and misdemeanor) of interest are those disposed in 2014 against
defendants who were younger than the age of 18 at the time of the crime, regardless of
the age of juvenile court jurisdiction (which varies by state).
What cases do I include?
You will need to identify eligible cases for inclusion by querying your jurisdiction’s case
management system or research database to pull any case filed in criminal court in 2014
involving a defendant who was younger than the age of 18 at the time of the crime.
What file formats are acceptable?
The preferred electronic file formats include:
 Access databases (any version up to Access 2010);
 SQL server databases (2008 or earlier);
 text files (fixed width, delimited); or
 Excel (or .csv) files.
We are not currently accepting Oracle databases or XML files.
What supporting documentation do I need to submit?
You will need to provide some tracking information and relevant documentation for your
data submission, including:
 Date of submission
 Primary point of contact: name, organization, position, address, telephone, fax,
and e-mail address
 File format and format version (e.g., SQL server DB, Access DB, text files (fixed
width, delimited), Excel, etc.)
 Major data quality problems
o Missing data:
 System-missing (data element not available in system)
 Unit-missing (large % of missing values for a particular data
element)
o Common data errors, system-wide or with specific elements (e.g.
misspellings, redundancy, duplication, contradictory values)
How do I submit my files?
You can use Westat’s secure web-based file submission process to transfer your agency’s
data to Westat. Westat will provide your jurisdiction with a username and password to
allow you to log in to the project’s website and deposit the electronic data.
You may deposit as many files as necessary and in any format. For example, your
jurisdiction may want to deposit several files that must be linked to get complete case
data, as well as a Word document that provides the record layout for the files and linking
5

instructions. Additional files, as necessary, may be submitted by your jurisdiction and
separately tracked.
If your jurisdiction requires an alternative means of submission, Westat will work with
you to find the most convenient yet secure method for you to submit your data.
The data collection manager or another appropriate Westat/NCJJ research team member
will be in contact with your jurisdiction in order to initiate and facilitate the data
submission process. If needed, the Westat/NCJJ research team will provide guidance and
assistance with regard to either uploading data via secure FTP or sending encrypted files
on CD.

Non-Uniform Data Extracts
Your jurisdiction may prefer to limit its submission to relevant fields or tables without
programming, recoding or restructuring the data to meet project specifications. If your
jurisdiction is unable or unwilling to report data in the precise format or exact code
categories requested, information system extracts of relevant tables would likely satisfy
the request for required data elements. NCJJ programming staff will then recode and
restructure the data so that it can match the uniform data extracts.

What data elements do I include?
The first step in creating a data extract is identifying the tables necessary to provide the
key data elements identified in Appendix C. For example, this may include an arrest table
(all arrests charges in the event), arraignment table (all arraignment charges in the event)
and a disposition table (all disposition charges with sentencing information). The name,
number, and structure of tables will vary for each jurisdiction.
Some of the data elements of interest include:
 unique offender identification number capable of tracking the offender through
case processing and to subsequent involvement in the criminal justice system;
 offender demographics (e.g., sex, date of birth, race/ethnicity);
 legal mechanism employed to process the case in criminal court.
 arrest charge(s);
 arraignment charge(s);
 case processing information from arraignment through final case disposition; and
 type of facility where defendant is being held.
Please refer to Appendix C for a detailed listing of data elements.
What cases do I include?
You will need to identify eligible cases for inclusion by querying your jurisdiction’s case
management system or research database to pull any case filed in criminal court in 2014
involving a defendant who was younger than the age of 18 at the time of the crime.
What file formats are acceptable?
The preferred electronic file formats include:
 Access databases (any version up to Access 2010);
 SQL server databases (2008 or earlier);
 text files (fixed width, delimited); or
 Excel (or .csv) files.
We are not currently accepting Oracle databases or XML files.

What supporting documentation do I need to submit?
You will need to provide some tracking information and relevant documentation for your
data submission, including:
 Date of submission
 Primary point of contact: name, organization, position, address, telephone, fax,
and e-mail address
 File format and format version (e.g., SQL server DB, Access DB, text files (fixed
width, delimited), Excel, etc.)
 Major data quality problems
o Missing data:
 System-missing (data element not available in system)
 Unit-missing (large % of missing values for a particular data
element)
o Common data errors, system-wide or with specific elements (e.g.
misspellings, redundancy, duplication, contradictory values)
 Data formatting information:
o Diagrams, data dictionaries, an/or field descriptions where available
o Any lookup table that helps to translate data values
o Graphical representation of the physical data source to show underlying
database architecture that would inform the restructuring of data files to
the uniform format
How do I submit my files?
You can use Westat’s secure web-based file submission process to transfer your agency’s
data to Westat. Westat will provide your jurisdiction with a username and password to
allow you to log in to the project’s website and deposit the electronic data.
You may deposit as many files as necessary and in any format. For example, your
jurisdiction may want to deposit several files that must be linked to get complete case
data, as well as a Word document that provides the record layout for the files and linking
instructions. Additional files, as necessary, may be submitted by your jurisdiction and
separately tracked.
If your jurisdiction requires an alternative means of submission, Westat will work with
you to find the most convenient yet secure method for you to submit your data.
The data collection manager or another appropriate Westat/NCJJ research team member
will be in contact with your jurisdiction in order to initiate and facilitate the data
submission process. If needed, the Westat/NCJJ research team will provide guidance and
assistance with regard to either uploading data via secure FTP or sending encrypted files
on CD.

Unformatted Data Files
Unformatted electronic data files (i.e., “data dumps”) are files that contain virtually all
data in a respondent’s automated system. Data dumps are the easiest type of electronic
data extract for you to submit. Your jurisdiction may not have the staff or resources to do
anything more than provide a complete “dump” of your information system. In such
instances, NCJJ programming staff will assume the burden of recoding and restructuring
the data to create the equivalent of the uniform extract.
This submission process, while the least labor-intensive for your jurisdiction, would
require consultation to verify record layouts, unit of count, data element codes and
values, and primary keys for relational tables, etc.
What file formats are acceptable?
The preferred electronic file formats include:
 Access databases (any version up to Access 2010);
 SQL server databases (2008 or earlier);
 text files (fixed width, delimited); or
 Excel (or .csv) files.
We are not currently accepting Oracle databases or XML files.
What supporting documentation do I need to submit?
You will need to provide some tracking information and relevant documentation for your
data submission, including:
 Date of submission
 Primary point of contact: name, organization, position, address, telephone, fax,
and e-mail address
 File format and format version (e.g., SQL server DB, Access DB, text files (fixed
width, delimited), Excel, etc.)
 Major data quality problems
o Missing data:
 System-missing (data element not available in system)
 Unit-missing (large % of missing values for a particular data
element)
o Common data errors, system-wide or with specific elements (e.g.
misspellings, redundancy, duplication, contradictory values)
 Data formatting information:
o Diagrams, data dictionaries, an/or field descriptions where available
o Any lookup table that helps to translate data values
o Graphical representation of the physical data source to show underlying
database architecture that would inform the restructuring of data files to
the uniform format

How do I submit my files?
You can use Westat’s secure web-based file submission process to transfer your agency’s
data to Westat. Westat will provide your jurisdiction with a username and password to
allow you to log in to the project’s web site and deposit the electronic data.
You may deposit as many files as necessary and in any format. For example, your
jurisdiction may want to deposit several files that must be linked to get complete case
data, as well as a Word document that provides the record layout for the files and linking
instructions. Additional files, as necessary, may be submitted by your jurisdiction and
separately tracked.
If your jurisdiction requires an alternative means of submission, Westat will work with
you to find the most convenient yet secure method for you to submit your data.
The data collection manager or another appropriate Westat/NCJJ research team member
will be in contact with your jurisdiction in order to initiate and facilitate the data
submission process. If needed, the Westat/NCJJ research team will provide guidance and
assistance with regard to either uploading data via secure FTP or sending encrypted files
on CD.

How do I contact you if I have questions?
For questions about completing your SJCACC Survey:
SJCACC Help Desk
Toll Free: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Email: XXXXX@Westat.com
Fax: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Mail: 1600 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850
For general questions about the SJCACC Study:
Paula S. Thompson, PMP
SJCACC, Project Director
Westat
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
301-517-4030

Melissa Sickmund, Ph.D.
SJCACC, Project Director
National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ)
3700 South Water Street, Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412–246–0824

Appendix A: Key concepts and definitions
[by order of appearance]
Non-criminal offense: Not a felony or misdemeanor offense. A minor violation of the
law or civil infraction punishable only by a fine (e.g., summary traffic infractions, wild
life/fish and game).
Case ID#: Unique ID assigned to individual cases by the Court.
Defendant ID#: Unique ID assigned to the defendant by the Court.
Fingerprint ID#: An alternative defendant ID—a unique identification related to the
defendant’s fingerprint.
Age: Date of birth and date of offense will be used to calculate the defendant's age at the
time of the offense. However, where these date fields are unavailable the following age
fields will be accepted: age at the time of offense, age at arrest, age at arraignment, and
age at conviction.
Race/Ethnicity: The uniform data extract will attempt to minimally capture those groups
that the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) specifies as necessary for data
collection. OMB standards have five categories for data on race: American Indian or
Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander, and White. There are two categories for data on ethnicity: "Hispanic or Latino,"
and "Not Hispanic or Latino."
Charge level/grade: The classification of a felony or misdemeanor, generally based on
severity. Class (A, B, C, D), degree (first-degree, second degree), and severity (simple,
aggravated) are all examples of charge levels or grades.
Technical violation: A violation by failure to comply with the conditions of conditional
release other than failure by commission of a new offense. Failure to appear and
probation violation are examples of technical violations.
Arraignment: The hearing before a judge or magistrate where the identity of the
defendant is established, the defendant is informed of their rights and any charges against
them and a plea is entered. The first time, subsequent to the arrest, that formal charge(s)
are entered with a court. This could be called the case filing, initial appearance, or
arraignment hearing.
Adjudication: The point in a case where a judge or magistrate makes an ultimate
decision on the merits of the case. This may be a verdict of guilty or innocent or a
mistrial. Adjudication can also be known as a conviction.
Disposition: An action by a criminal or juvenile justice agency that signifies a decision
has been made on a case or a part of a case and either the process is complete and
jurisdiction is transferred or a new aspect of the case will need to be decided upon.
11

Prison: A state or federal confinement facility having custodial authority over adults
sentenced to confinement.
Jail: A confinement facility administered by an agency of local government intended for
adults but sometimes also containing juveniles and persons’ detained pending
adjudication and persons committed after adjudication, usually those committed on
sentences of a year or less.
Youthful offender facility: A facility in adult jails that holds juveniles whose
jurisdiction in juvenile court extends beyond the age of 18.
Juvenile facility: A separate facility from a jail or prison intended for the holding of
juvenile offenders.
Blended sentencing: The juvenile court has the authority to impose adult criminal
sanctions on certain juvenile offenders. The majority of such laws authorize the juvenile
court to combine a juvenile disposition with a criminal sentence that is suspended. If the
youth successfully completes the juvenile disposition, the criminal sanction is not
imposed. If, however, the youth does not cooperate or fails in the juvenile sanctioning
system, the adult criminal sanction is imposed. Juvenile court blended sentencing
expands the jurisdiction of the juvenile court such that juvenile offenders may face the
same penalties as adult offenders.
Waiver: A ruling by a judge after a hearing transferring jurisdiction over a youth from
juvenile court to criminal court.
Direct file (or concurrent jurisdiction): Prosecutors have the option to file the case
directly in criminal court as well as juvenile court if it meets the criteria for transfer. No
hearing is held and there may be no formal standard for deciding which court to file in.
This is left to the discretion of the prosecutor.
Statutory exclusion: Statutes or laws that state if a juvenile commits a certain list of
enumerated crimes; they will be treated and tried as an adult instead of a juvenile. These
juveniles are excluded by statute from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.
Once an Adult/Always an Adult: The case met state statutory criteria (age, offense,
criminal history) that require new cases involving a juvenile previously handled or
convicted in criminal court to also be handled in criminal court.
Lower “upper age” of juvenile court jurisdiction: An age below 18 where juvenile
court jurisdiction ends and criminal jurisdiction begins. Most states set the upper age of
juvenile court jurisdiction at 17. This is the highest age at which a juvenile will still be
handled as a juvenile. When a juvenile turns 18, they enter the jurisdiction of the criminal
court; 11* states have ended their juvenile court jurisdiction below the age of 18.
*Applies only to Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New
Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.
12

Appendix B: Preferred offense coding categories
1. Murder/nonnegligent manslaughter - The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one
human being by another. Deaths caused by negligence, attempts to kill, suicides,
accidental deaths, and justifiable homicides are excluded. The term is used in the same
sense as in the UCR Crime Index. Negligent homicide should be included under other
violent offenses/other offenses against persons.
2. Violent sexual assault - Sexual acts or attempted sexual acts with a female or male
against their will by force or threat of force. Includes rape and violent sex acts other
than forcible rape (e.g., incest, sodomy). The term is broader than the UCR Crime
Index and includes gender-neutral rape or sexual assault statutes that prohibit forced
sexual acts against either sex.
3. Robbery - Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property that is in the immediate
possession of another by force or the threat of force. The term is used in the same
sense as in the UCR Crime Index and includes forcible purse snatching.
4. Aggravated assault - Unlawful intentional inflicting of serious bodily injury, or
unlawful threat or attempt to inflict bodily injury or death, by means of a deadly or
dangerous weapon with or without actual infliction of any injury. The term is used in
the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It includes conduct included under the
statutory names aggravated assault and battery, aggravated battery, assault with intent
to kill, assault with intent to commit murder or manslaughter, atrocious assault,
attempted murder, felonious assault, and assault with a deadly weapon.
5. Simple assault - Unlawful intentional inflicting, or attempted or threatened inflicting,
of less than serious bodily injury without a deadly or dangerous weapon. The term is
used in the same sense in UCR reporting. Simple assault is often not distinctly named
in statutes since it consists of all assaults not explicitly named and defined as serious.
6. Other violent offenses/other offenses against persons - This category includes
kidnapping, custody interference, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, reckless
endangerment, negligent or vehicular homicide, harassment, etc., and attempts to
commit any such acts.
7. Burglary - Unlawful entry or attempted entry of any fixed structure, vehicle, or vessel
used for regular residence, industry, or business, with or without force, with intent to
commit a felony or larceny. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime
Index.
8. Larceny-theft - Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property (other than a motor
vehicle) from the possession of another, by stealth, without force and without deceit,
with intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. This term is used in the
same sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It includes shoplifting and purse snatching
without force.
9. Motor vehicle theft - Unlawful taking, or attempted taking, of a self-propelled road
vehicle owned by another, with the intent to deprive the owner of it permanently or
temporarily. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It
includes joyriding or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle as well as grand theft auto.
10. Arson - Intentional damaging or destruction by means of fire or explosion of the
property of another without the owner's consent, or of any property with intent to
13

defraud, or attempting the above acts. The term is used in the same sense as in the
UCR Crime Index.
11. Forgery (and counterfeiting) - Altering, copying, or imitating something without
authority or right, with the intent to deceive or defraud by passing it as that which is
original or genuine. Includes the selling, buying, or possession of an altered, copied,
or imitated thing with the intent to deceive or defraud.
12. Fraud - Unlawfully depriving a person of their money, property, or legal right, by
means of deceit or intentional misrepresentation. Included are confidence games,
credit or debit card fraud, and bad checks, excludes forgeries and counterfeiting.
13. Embezzlement - Misappropriation or misapplication of money or property entrusted
to one's care, custody, or control.
14. Vandalism - Destroying or damaging, or attempting to destroy or damage, the
property of another without the owner's consent, or public property, except by
burning.
15. Stolen property offenses - Unlawfully and knowingly receiving, buying, distributing,
selling, transporting, concealing, or possessing stolen property, or attempting any of
the above. The term is used in the same sense as the UCR category stolen property;
buying, receiving, possessing.
16. Trespassing - Unlawful entry or attempted entry of the property of another with the
intent to commit a misdemeanor, other than larceny, or without intent to commit a
crime.
17. Other property offenses - This category includes property offenses not distinguished
in the categories above (e.g., extortion, blackmail, tampering, etc.) and attempts to
commit any such offenses.
18. Drug trafficking/manufacturing - Unlawful sale, purchase, distribution,
manufacture, cultivation, or transport of a controlled or prohibited drug or attempt to
commit these acts (includes possession with intent to sell).
19. Drug possession/use - Unlawful possession or use of a controlled or prohibited drug
or attempt to commit these acts.
20. Other drug offenses - This category includes drug law violations not distinguished in
the categories above (e.g., possession of drug paraphernalia and visiting a place or
permitting occupancy of a place where drugs are found).
21. Weapons offenses - Unlawful sale, distribution, manufacture, alteration,
transportation, possession, or use of a deadly or dangerous weapon, or accessory, or
attempt to commit any of these acts. The term is used in the same sense as the UCR
category weapons; carrying, possessing, etc.
22. Sex offenses (not violent) - All offenses having a sexual element not involving
violence. The term combines the meaning of the UCR categories prostitution and
commercialized vice and sex offenses. It includes offenses such as statutory rape,
indecent exposure, prostitution, solicitation, pimping, lewdness, fornication, adultery,
etc.
23. Technical violation of probation or parole - Violations of probation or parole; acts
that disobey or go against the conditions of probation or parole. Examples include:
failure to participate in a specific program, failure to appear for drug tests or meetings,
and failure to pay restitution.
14

24. Obstruction of justice/failure to appear - This category includes intentionally
obstructing a court (or law enforcement) in the administration of justice, acting in a
way calculated to lessen the authority or dignity of the court, failing to obey the lawful
order of a court, and violations of probation or parole other than technical violations,
which do not consist of the commission of a crime or are not prosecuted as such. It
includes contempt, perjury, obstructing justice, bribing witnesses, failure to report a
crime, nonviolent resisting arrest, etc.
25. Liquor law violations (not minor in possession) - Being in a public place while
intoxicated through consumption of alcohol, or intake of a controlled substance or
drug. It includes public intoxication, drunkenness, and other liquor law violations. It
does not include driving under the influence or minor in possession. The term is used
in the same sense as the UCR category of the same name.
26. Disorderly conduct - Unlawful interruption of the peace, quiet, or order of a
community, including offenses called disturbing the peace, vagrancy, loitering,
unlawful assembly, and riot.
27. Other offenses against public order - This category includes other offenses against
government administration or regulation, e.g., escape from confinement, bribery,
gambling, hitchhiking, health violations, false fire alarms, immigration violations, etc.
28. Driving-related offenses: This category includes offenses consisting of those
misdemeanors and felonies relating to the operation of self-propelled surface motor
vehicles requiring an appearance in court, including: driving under the influence, hit
and run, reckless driving, and driving without a license. Vehicular homicide should be
included under other violent offenses/other offenses against persons.
99. UNKNOWN: use this only when no offense information is available.

Appendix C: Uniform Extract Data Layout
2014 Survey of Juveniles Charged as Adults in Criminal Courts (SJCACC)
Universe: Any case disposed in criminal court in 2014 involving a defendant who was younger than the age of 18 at the
time of the crime.
Unit of count: Charge-level, all charges associated with a criminal event and their outcomes in terms of dispositions
and sentences are that are linked to those charges.
Data Element Groups Containing Variables

DEG1

Data Element Group Name

Data Element Group Label

DEG1

Defendant information

DEG2

Arrest/Case information

DEG3

Arraignment information

DEG4

Adjudication outcome information

DEG5

Sentencing information

DEG6

Prior criminal history information

DEG7

Legal mechanism for transfer information

Defendant information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
State
County
Date of birth
Sex
Race
Hispanic origin
Case ID#
Defendant ID#
Fingerprint ID#

DEG6

Legal mechanism for transfer information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
Through juvenile court (waiver)
Filed directly in criminal court
Direct file type
Defined as adult ("lower upper age" of juvenile court jurisdiction)

DEG3

Arrest/Case information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
Date of offense
Date of arrest
Number of charges at arrest
Most serious arrest charge statute number
Most serious arrest charge offense description
Is most serious arrest charge an attempt?
Is most serious charge felony or misdemeanor?
Most serious arrest charge level/grade
2nd most serious arrest charge statute number
2nd most serious arrest charge offense description
Is 2nd most serious arrest charge an attempt?
Is 2nd most serious charge felony or misdemeanor?
2nd most serious arrest charge level/grade

DEG4

Arraignment information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
Number of charges at arraignment
Most serious arraignment charge statute number
Most serious arraignment charge offense description
Is most serious arraignment charge an attempt?
Is most serious charge felony or misdemeanor?
Most serious arraignment charge level/grade
2nd most serious arraignment charge statute number
2nd most serious arraignment charge offense description
Is 2nd most serious arraignment charge an attempt?
Is 2nd most serious charge felony or misdemeanor?
2nd most serious arraignment charge level/grade
Legal representation for arraignment

DEG5

Adjudication outcome information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
Date of final adjudication
Type of adjudication
General conviction category
General non conviction category
Was alternative/special assignment made?
Type of alternative adjudication proceeding
Was alternative/special assignment completed?
Number of charges at adjudication
Most serious adjudication charge statute number
Most serious adjudication charge offense description
Is most serious adjudication charge an attempt?
Is most serious charge felony or misdemeanor?
Most serious adjudication charge level/grade
Legal representation for adjudication

DEG6

Sentencing information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
Date of sentence
Incarceration Sentence
Incarceration Type
Probation Sentence
# Probation Months
Jail Sentence
# Jail Months
Jail Suspended- Months
Prison Sentence
# Prison Months- Maximum
Prison Suspended- Months
Fine imposed
Fine dollar amount
Restitution required
Restitution dollar amount
Treatment/counseling
Blended sentencing (juvenile)

Appendix D: Uniform Extract Suggested Coding

DATA ELEMENT GROUPS
* unit of count is at the charge-level, please complete the record for each charge on a given case
Defendant
information

Colum
n

Description

Values

Notes

State
County

Where DOB is not
available,
provide one of the
following:

Case ID#

Unique ID assigned to individual cases by the Court.

Defendant ID#
Fingerprint ID# (sometimes referred to as FBI
number)

Unique ID assigned to the defendant by the Court.
Alternative defendant ID—unique to the defendant’s
fingerprint.

Date of birth

MM/DD/YYYY

Age at offense

0 = Missing or suspect
10-99 = good ages

Age at arrest

0 = Missing or suspect
10-99 = good ages

Age at arraignment

0 = Missing or suspect
10-99 = good ages

Age at conviction

0 = Missing or suspect
10-99 = good ages

Sex

1 = Male
2 = Female
9 = Unknown/Missing

Ethnicity

1 = Not Hispanic or Latino
2 = Hispanic or Latino
9 = Unknown/Missing

Race

1 = American Indian or Alaska Native
2 = Asian/Pacific Islander
3 = Black/African American
3 = Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander
4 = White
5 = Other
9= Unknown or missing

Legal
mechanism
for transfer
information

Column

Description

Values

Notes

Legal mechanism for transfer identified?

0 = No

Can this agency provide information regarding the legal mechanism that allows this youth
under age 18 to be tried in criminal court?

1 = Yes
Legal mechanism type

1= Through juvenile court (waiver)

Ruling by a judge to transfer jurisdiction over a youth from juvenile court to criminal court.

2= Filed directly in criminal court
3= Defined as adult

("lower upper age" of juvenile court jurisdiction)

1= Statutory exclusion

Case met statutory criteria (age and offense) that exclude it from juvenile court.

2= Concurrent jurisdiction

Case met statutory criteria (age and offense) that allow prosecutors to file in either juvenile
or criminal court.

3= Once an adult/always an adult

Case me statutory criteria (age, offense, criminal history) that require new cases involving a
juvenile previously handled or convicted in criminal court to also be handled in criminal
court.

Description

Values

Notes

Date of offense

MM/DD/YYYY

Date of arrest

MM/DD/YYYY

Number of charges at arrest

0 = Unknown or missing

Direct file sub-category

Arrest/Case
information

Column

1-999 = valid number of charges
Type of charge 1 (Felony/Misdemeanor)

1= Felony
2= Misdemeanor
9= Unknown or missing

Arrest/Case information
(cont.)

Column

Description

Values

General offense subcategory

1= Criminal homicide

Notes

2= Violent sexual assault
3= Robbery
4= Simple assault
5= Aggravated assault
6= other person offense
7= Burglary
8= Larceny/theft
9= Motor vehicle theft
10= Arson
11= Vandalism
12= Stolen property
13= Trespassing
14= Forgery
15= Fraud
16= Other property offense
17= Trafficking/manufacturing
18= Possession/use
19= Other drug law offense
20= Weapon offense
21= Sex offense (non-violent)
22= Liquor law, not status
23= Disorderly conduct
24= Obstruction of justice
25= Driving-related offense
26= Other public order offense
Statute Number

text field

Level/Grade

text field

Specific offense description

text field

(E.g., Felony 1, Misdemeanor 1, Class C offense).

Arraignment information

Column

Description

Values

Date of arraignment

MM/DD/YYYY

Legal representation for arraignment

1= Public defender

Notes

2= Private attorney
3= Assigned/contracted attorney
4= Pro se
5= Other
9= Unknown or missing
Number of charges at arraignment

0 = Unknown or missing
1-999 = valid number of charges

Type of charge 1 (Felony/Misdemeanor)

1= Felony
2= Misdemeanor
9= Unknown or missing

General offense subcategory

1= Criminal homicide
2= Violent sexual assault
3= Robbery
4= Simple assault
5= Aggravated assault
6= other person offense
7= Burglary
8= Larceny/theft
9= Motor vehicle theft
10= Arson
11= Vandalism
12= Stolen property
13= Trespassing
14= Forgery
15= Fraud
16= Other property offense
17= Trafficking/manufacturing
18= Possession/use
19= Other drug law offense
20= Weapon offense
21= Sex offense (non-violent)
22= Liquor law, not status
23= Disorderly conduct
24= Obstruction of justice

waived right to an attorney

Arraignment information

Column

Description

Values

(cont’d)

Notes

25= Driving-related offense
26= Other public order offense

Adjudication/
Conviction information

Column

Statute Number

text field

Level/Grade

text field

Specific offense description

text field

Description

Values

Date of final adjudication

MM/DD/YYYY

Legal representation for adjudication

1= Public defender

(E.g., Felony 1, Misdemeanor 1, Class C offense)
Notes

2= Private attorney
3= Assigned/contracted
attorney
4= Pro se
5= Other
9= Unknown or missing
Number of charges at adjudication

0 = Unknown or missing
1-999 = valid number of
charges

Type of charge 1 (Felony/Misdemeanor)

1= Felony
2= Misdemeanor
9= Unknown or missing

General offense subcategory

waived right to an attorney

Adjudication/

Column

Description

Values

Conviction information

18= Possession/use

(cont.)

19= Other drug law offense

Notes

20= Weapon offense
21= Sex offense (non-violent)
22= Liquor law, not status
23= Disorderly conduct
24= Obstruction of justice
25= Driving-related offense
26= Other public order offense
Statute Number

text field

Level/Grade

text field

Specific offense description

text field

Outcome of adjudication for charge 1

1= Conviction

(E.g., Felony 1, Misdemeanor 1, Class C offense)

2= Nonconviction
3= Other
4= Pending
9= Unknown or missing
Type of conviction

1= Nolo contendere

No contest

2= Bench trial
3= Jury trial
Type of nonconviction

1= Dismissal/Nolle prosequi
2= Dismissal for want of
prosecution
3= Bench trial
4= Jury trial

Sentencing information

Column

Description

Values

Date of sentence

MM/DD/YYYY

Type of sentence imposed

1= Incarceration
2= Probation
3= Treatment/Counseling
4= Fine
5= Restitution
6= Other

Notes

Sentencing information
(cont.)

Column

Description

Values

Type of incarceration imposed (Adult facility)

1= Prison
2= Youthful offender facility
3= Jail

Type of juvenile correctional facility

1= Blended sentencing
2= Juvenile facility only

Life or LWOP sentence

0 = No
1 = Yes

Length of prison sentence imposed

No. of months

Length of prison sentence suspended

No. of months

Length of prison sentence time-served

No. of months

Length of youthful offender facility sentence

No. of months

Length of jail sentence imposed

No. of months

Length of jail sentence suspended

No. of months

Length of jail sentence time-served

No. of months

Length of juvenile facility sentence (in months)

No. of months

Length of probation sentence (in months)

No. of months

Fine dollar amount

$ Dollars

Victim restitution dollar amount

$ Dollars

State restitution dollar amount

$ Dollars

Notes
A facility in adult jails that holds juveniles whose jurisdiction in
juvenile court extends beyond the age of 18.

Attachment 5: 2014 SJCACC Hard Copy Extraction Guide

Survey of Juveniles Charged as Adults in
Criminal Courts (SJCACC): 2014
United States Department of Justice
Bureau of Justice Statistics
Hardcopy Survey Guide

June 2014
Prepared by:
Westat / National Center for Juvenile Justice
1

Table of Contents
Table of Contents..................................................................................................................................... 2
What is the Study about? ..................................................................................................................... 3
Will the data be secure and kept confidential? ...................................................................................... 3
Which cases should be included? ........................................................................................................ 3
Unit of Count ........................................................................................................................................ 4
Relevant Data Elements ....................................................................................................................... 4
How do I contact you? .......................................................................................................................... 4
Appendix B: Preferred offense coding categories..................................................................................... 7
Appendix C: Data Elements Layout ....................................................................................................... 10

Survey of Juveniles Charged as Adult in Criminal Courts: 2014
(SJCACC)
Hardcopy Survey Guide
What is the Study about?
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) has initiated a data collection to
examine young offenders processed in criminal courts. The SJCACC sample will be drawn from all
felony and misdemeanor cases disposed in criminal courts in 2014 involving defendants younger than age
18 at the time of the crime. This information is critical to understanding how many youth are charged in
criminal court, the characteristics of these youth, the pathways that lead them to criminal court, and the
final disposition of their cases.
BJS has retained Westat, a nationally known and highly regarded survey research firm, and the National
Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) a national expert on juvenile offenders and on state policies for
transferring juveniles to adult criminal courts, to collect data on the processing of youth as adults in
criminal court. Westat and the NCJJ have developed a project design that supports multiple modes of
data collection. The purpose of this guide is to explain documenting cases using a hardcopy survey when
a statewide electronic data system is not available with this information.

Will the data be secure and kept confidential?
We take confidentiality and human subject protection very seriously. Project findings, reports, and data
files prepared for dissemination will not contain information that can reasonably be expected to be
identifiable to a private person. Electronic files for public use will include a user’s guide, approved by
BJS, and will have any numeric identifiers or encrypted identifying information removed from records
prior to data delivery to protect the confidentiality of the data. The public use file will be prepared
specifically in accordance with the guidelines provided by National Archive of Criminal Justice Data
(NACJD), operated by the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR),
located at the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research.
Westat staff will store data on the secure server computer, unconnected to any computer outside the office
of NCJJ. Access to the data will be limited to those employees having a need for such data. Data
identifiable to a private person will not be used or revealed, except as authorized under 28 CFR § 22.21
and § 22.22.
We understand that there may be policies in place requiring you to limit the amount or type of data you
can release. While each of the identified data elements are critical to understand the processing of youth
charged as adults, we are willing to discuss and adhere to any data transfer agreement you may have.
Which cases should be included?
At the start of data collection your jurisdiction provided a list of all eligible cases (i.e., those involving
youth under age 18 during 2014) from which Westat statisticians drew a sample. The selected cases are
listed in your cover letter included with the survey. If any of the selected case is not a felony or
misdemeanor offense, such as a minor violation of the law or civil infraction punishable only by a fine
(e.g., a summary traffic infractions, wild life/fish and game), do not include the case in your survey. If a
3

case includes non-criminal offenses in addition to misdemeanor or felony offenses, it is eligible, but you
should not report the non-criminal offense in the survey.
Unit of Count
Report information for each case at the charge-level, where more than one charge may be filed against a
single defendant. A "charge" (or “count”) represents a formal allegation that a person committed a
specific crime. A youth charged with four burglaries submitted in one allegation would contribute four
charges in the survey. A youth arrested for three burglaries and arrested again the following week on
another burglary charge would also contribute four separate charges.
Charges (felony and misdemeanor) of interest are for cases disposed in 2014 against defendants who were
younger than the age of 18 at the time of the crime, regardless of the age of juvenile court jurisdiction
(which varies by state).
Relevant Data Elements
Some of the data elements of interest include:
 unique offender identification number capable of tracking the offender through case processing
and to subsequent involvement in the criminal justice system;
 offense type (e.g., felony or misdemeanor)
 offender demographics (e.g., gender, date of birth, race/ethnicity);
 legal mechanism employed to process the matter in criminal court.
 arrest charge(s);
 arraignment charge(s);
 adjudication information;
 sentencing; and
 type of facility where defendant is being held.
Please refer to Appendix C for a detailed listing of data elements.
How do I contact you?
For questions about completing your SJCACC Survey
SJCACC Help Desk
Toll Free: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Email: XXXXX@Westat.com
Fax: XXX-XXX-XXXX
Mail: 1600 Research Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20850
For general questions about the SJCACC Study
Paula S. Thompson, PMP
SJCACC, Project Director
Westat
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850
301-517-4030

Melissa Sickmund, Ph.D.
SJCACC, Project Director
National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ)
3700 South Water Street, Suite 200
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412–246–0824
4

Appendix A: Key concepts and definitions
[By order of appearance]
Non-criminal offense: Not a felony or misdemeanor offense. A minor violation of the law or civil
infraction punishable only by a fine (e.g., summary traffic infractions, wild life/fish and game).
Case ID#: Unique ID assigned to individual cases by the Court.
Defendant ID#: Unique ID assigned to the defendant by the Court.
Fingerprint ID#: An alternative defendant ID—a unique identification related to the defendant’s
fingerprint.
Age: Date of birth and date of offense will be used to calculate the defendant's age at the time of the
offense. However, where these date fields are unavailable the following age fields will be accepted: age at
the time of offense, age at arrest, age at arraignment, and age at conviction.
Race/Ethnicity: The survey will attempt to minimally capture those groups that the federal Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) specifies as necessary for data collection, e.g., American Indian or
Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and White.
There are two categories for data on ethnicity: "Hispanic or Latino," and "Not Hispanic or Latino."
Charge level/grade: The classification of a felony or misdemeanor generally based on severity. Class (A,
B, C, D), degree (first-degree, second degree), and severity (simple, aggravated) are all examples of
charge levels or grades.
Technical violation: A violation by failure to comply with the conditions of conditional release other
than failure by commission of a new offense. Failure to appear and probation violation are examples of
technical violations.
Arraignment: The hearing before a judge or magistrate where the identity of the defendant is established,
the defendant is informed of their rights and any charges against them and a plea is entered. The first time,
subsequent to the arrest, that formal charge(s) are entered with a court. This could be called the case
filing, initial appearance, or arraignment hearing.
Adjudication: The point in a case where a judge or magistrate makes an ultimate decision on the merits
of the case. This may be a verdict of guilty or innocent or a mistrial. Adjudication can also be known as a
conviction.
Disposition: An action by a criminal or juvenile justice agency that signifies a decision has been made on
a case or a part of a case and either the process is complete and jurisdiction is transferred or a new aspect
of the case will need to be decided upon.
Prison: A state or federal confinement facility having custodial authority over adults sentenced to
confinement.

Jail: A confinement facility administered by an agency of local government intended for adults but
sometimes also containing juveniles and persons’ detained pending adjudication and persons committed
after adjudication, usually those committed on sentences of a year or less.
Youthful offender facility: A facility in adult jails that holds juveniles whose jurisdiction in juvenile
court extends beyond the age of 18.
Juvenile facility: A separate facility from a jail or prison intended for the holding of juvenile offenders.
Blended sentencing: The juvenile court has the authority to impose adult criminal sanctions on certain
juvenile offenders. The majority of such laws authorize the juvenile court to combine a juvenile
disposition with a criminal sentence that is suspended. If the youth successfully completes the juvenile
disposition, the criminal sanction is not imposed. If, however, the youth does not cooperate or fails in the
juvenile sanctioning system, the adult criminal sanction is imposed. Juvenile court blended sentencing
expands the jurisdiction of the juvenile court such that juvenile offenders may face the same penalties as
adult offenders.
Waiver: A ruling by a judge after a hearing transferring jurisdiction over a youth from juvenile court to
criminal court.
Direct file (or concurrent jurisdiction): Prosecutors have the option to file the case directly in criminal
court as well as juvenile court if it meets the criteria for transfer. No hearing is held and there may be no
formal standard for deciding in which court to file. This is left to the discretion of the prosecutor.
Statutory exclusion: Statutes or laws that state if a juvenile commits a certain list of enumerated crimes;
they will be treated and tried as an adult instead of a juvenile. These juveniles are excluded by statute
from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.
Once an Adult/Always an Adult: The case met state statutory criteria (age, offense, criminal history)
that require new cases involving a juvenile previously handled or convicted in criminal court to also be
handled in criminal court.
Lower “upper age” of juvenile court jurisdiction: An age below 18 where juvenile court jurisdiction
ends and criminal jurisdiction begins. Most states set the upper age of juvenile court jurisdiction at 17.
This is the highest age at which a juvenile will still be handled as a juvenile. When a juvenile turns 18,
they enter the jurisdiction of the criminal court; 11* states have ended their juvenile court jurisdiction
below the age of 18.
*Applies only to Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Appendix B: Preferred offense coding categories
1. Murder/nonnegligent manslaughter - The willful (nonnegligent) killing of one human being by
another. Deaths caused by negligence, attempts to kill, suicides, accidental deaths, and justifiable
homicides are excluded. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index. Negligent
homicide should be included under other violent offenses/other offenses against persons.
2. Violent sexual assault - Sexual acts or attempted sexual acts with a female or male against their will
by force or threat of force. Includes rape and violent sex acts other than forcible rape (e.g., incest,
sodomy). The term is broader than the UCR Crime Index and includes gender-neutral rape or sexual
assault statutes that prohibit forced sexual acts against either sex.
3. Robbery - Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property that is in the immediate possession of
another by force or the threat of force. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index
and includes forcible purse snatching.
4. Aggravated assault - Unlawful intentional inflicting of serious bodily injury, or unlawful threat or
attempt to inflict bodily injury or death, by means of a deadly or dangerous weapon with or without
actual infliction of any injury. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It
includes conduct included under the statutory names aggravated assault and battery, aggravated
battery, assault with intent to kill, assault with intent to commit murder or manslaughter, atrocious
assault, attempted murder, felonious assault, and assault with a deadly weapon.
5. Simple assault - Unlawful intentional inflicting, or attempted or threatened inflicting, of less than
serious bodily injury without a deadly or dangerous weapon. The term is used in the same sense in
UCR reporting. Simple assault is often not distinctly named in statutes since it consists of all assaults
not explicitly named and defined as serious.
6. Other violent offenses/other offenses against persons - This category includes kidnapping, custody
interference, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, negligent or vehicular
homicide, harassment, etc., and attempts to commit any such acts.
7. Burglary - Unlawful entry or attempted entry of any fixed structure, vehicle, or vessel used for regular
residence, industry, or business, with or without force, with intent to commit a felony or larceny. The
term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.
8. Larceny-theft - Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property (other than a motor vehicle) from the
possession of another, by stealth, without force and without deceit, with intent to permanently deprive
the owner of the property. This term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It includes
shoplifting and purse snatching without force.
9. Motor vehicle theft - Unlawful taking, or attempted taking, of a self-propelled road vehicle owned by
another, with the intent to deprive the owner of it permanently or temporarily. The term is used in the
same sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It includes joyriding or unauthorized use of a motor vehicle as
well as grand theft auto.
10. Arson - Intentional damaging or destruction by means of fire or explosion of the property of another
without the owner's consent, or of any property with intent to defraud, or attempting the above acts.
The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.
11. Forgery (and counterfeiting) - Altering, copying, or imitating something without authority or right,
with the intent to deceive or defraud by passing it as that which is original or genuine. Includes the
selling, buying, or possession of an altered, copied, or imitated thing with the intent to deceive or
defraud.

12. Fraud - Unlawfully depriving a person of their money, property, or legal right, by means of deceit or
intentional misrepresentation. Included are confidence games, credit or debit card fraud, and bad
checks, excludes forgeries and counterfeiting.
13. Embezzlement - Misappropriation or misapplication of money or property entrusted to one's care,
custody, or control.
14. Vandalism - Destroying or damaging, or attempting to destroy or damage, the property of another
without the owner's consent, or public property, except by burning.
15. Stolen property offenses - Unlawfully and knowingly receiving, buying, distributing, selling,
transporting, concealing, or possessing stolen property, or attempting any of the above. The term is
used in the same sense as the UCR category stolen property; buying, receiving, possessing.
16. Trespassing - Unlawful entry or attempted entry of the property of another with the intent to commit a
misdemeanor, other than larceny, or without intent to commit a crime.
17. Other property offenses - This category includes property offenses not distinguished in the categories
above (e.g., extortion, blackmail, tampering, etc.) and attempts to commit any such offenses.
18. Drug trafficking/manufacturing - Unlawful sale, purchase, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, or
transport of a controlled or prohibited drug or attempt to commit these acts (includes possession with
intent to sell).
19. Drug possession/use - Unlawful possession or use of a controlled or prohibited drug or attempt to
commit these acts.
20. Other drug offenses - This category includes drug law violations not distinguished in the categories
above (e.g., possession of drug paraphernalia and visiting a place or permitting occupancy of a place
where drugs are found).
21. Weapons offenses - Unlawful sale, distribution, manufacture, alteration, transportation, possession, or
use of a deadly or dangerous weapon, or accessory, or attempt to commit any of these acts. The term is
used in the same sense as the UCR category weapons; carrying, possessing, etc.
22. Sex offenses (not violent) - All offenses having a sexual element not involving violence. The term
combines the meaning of the UCR categories prostitution and commercialized vice and sex offenses. It
includes offenses such as statutory rape, indecent exposure, prostitution, solicitation, pimping,
lewdness, fornication, adultery, etc.
23. Technical violation of probation or parole - Violations of probation or parole; acts that disobey or go
against the conditions of probation or parole. Examples include: failure to participate in a specific
program, failure to appear for drug tests or meetings, and failure to pay restitution.
24. Obstruction of justice/failure to appear - This category includes intentionally obstructing a court (or
law enforcement) in the administration of justice, acting in a way calculated to lessen the authority or
dignity of the court, failing to obey the lawful order of a court, and violations of probation or parole
other than technical violations, which do not consist of the commission of a crime or are not
prosecuted as such. It includes contempt, perjury, obstructing justice, bribing witnesses, failure to
report a crime, nonviolent resisting arrest, etc.
25. Liquor law violations (not minor in possession) - Being in a public place while intoxicated through
consumption of alcohol, or intake of a controlled substance or drug. It includes public intoxication,
drunkenness, and other liquor law violations. It does not include driving under the influence or minor
in possession. The term is used in the same sense as the UCR category of the same name.
26. Disorderly conduct - Unlawful interruption of the peace, quiet, or order of a community, including
offenses called disturbing the peace, vagrancy, loitering, unlawful assembly, and riot.
8

27. Other offenses against public order - This category includes other offenses against government
administration or regulation, e.g., escape from confinement, bribery, gambling, hitchhiking, health
violations, false fire alarms, immigration violations, etc.
28. Driving-related offenses: This category includes offenses consisting of those misdemeanors and
felonies relating to the operation of self-propelled surface motor vehicles requiring an appearance in
court, including: driving under the influence, hit and run, reckless driving, and driving without a
license. Vehicular homicide should be included under other violent offenses/other offenses against
persons.
99. UNKNOWN – use this only when no offense information is available.

Appendix C: Data Elements Layout
2014 Survey of Juveniles Charged as Adults in Criminal Courts (SJCACC)
Universe: Any case disposed in criminal court in 2014 involving a defendant who was younger than the age of 18 at the time of the crime.
Unit of count: Charge-level, all charges associated with a criminal event and their outcomes in terms of dispositions and sentences that are
linked to those charges.
Data Element Groups Containing Variables

DEG1

Data Element Group Name

Data Element Group Label

DEG1

Defendant information

DEG2

Arrest/Case information

DEG3

Arraignment information

DEG4

Adjudication outcome information

DEG5

Sentencing information

DEG6

Prior criminal history information

DEG7

Legal mechanism for transfer information

Defendant information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
State
County
Date of birth
Sex
Race
Hispanic origin
Case ID#
Defendant ID#
Fingerprint ID#

DEG6

Legal mechanism for transfer information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Variable Label
Through juvenile court (waiver)
Filed directly in criminal court
Direct file type
Defined as adult ("lower upper age" of juvenile court jurisdiction)

DEG3

Arrest/Case information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

DEG4

Arraignment information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

DEG5

Adjudication outcome information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

DEG6

Sentencing information

Variables within this Data Element Group
Variable

Attachment 6: 2014 Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adult
Criminal Court

WESTAT
RW-2513
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850-3129

RETURN
TO

OMB No. XXX-XXX: Approval Expires MM/DD/YYY

Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adult
Criminal court (SJCACC)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS

PLEASE ENTER THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE PERSON FILLING OUT THIS FORM
Name

Title

Address 1
Address 2
City

State

TELEPHONE

Area code

Number

Extension FAX
NUMBER

Zip code
Area code

Number

EMAIL
ADDRESS

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Enter the selected case ID from the cover letter CASE ID:
2. Complete this survey for each of the selected cases.
3. Use Hardcopy Survey Guide for instructions. Complete the questions in each of the sections, D, E, and F for each of
the selected charges.
4. If you have any questions, call the SJCACC Help Desk, Westat, at 1-XXX-XXX-XXXX, or email
XXXXXXX@westat.com.
5. Please complete the questionnaire before MM/DD/YYYY, by mailing the completed questionnaire to WESTAT at the
address provided.

Burden Statement
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, we cannot ask you to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number. Public reporting burden for this collection is estimated to average 2 hours per case, including the time
for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and
reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20531; and to the Office of Management and Budget, OMB No. XXXX-XXXX, Washington, DC 20503.

OFFENSE TYPE

A1.

What type(s) of offense(s) did this case involve? (Mark all that apply)
Felony offense
Misdemeanor offense (including minor possession of alcohol/tobacco)
Non-criminal offense (e.g., summary traffic, wildlife/fish and game)

If only “non-criminal offense” is marked, this case is not eligible to be included in the data. Please move on to the next case using
a clean copy of the questionnaire.
If “non-criminal offense” is checked in addition to “misdemeanor offense” or “felony offense”, do not report non-criminal charges
in the survey.

DEFENDANT INFORMATION

B1.

Defendant ID

B2.

Fingerprint-based ID (assigned by state criminal history repository)

B3.

What is the defendant’s date of birth?
/
MM

/
DD

Go to Question B4
YYYY

Don’t know
B3a. Date of birth (DOB) information cannot be provided for this defendant because
Our electronic data system does not record DOB
DOB is available to be reported but not for this case
Other (please specify):

B3b. How old was the defendant at
Time of offense ....

Don’t know

Arrest ...................

Don’t know

Arraignment .........

Don’t know

Conviction ............

Don’t know

Page 2

B4.

What is the defendant’s sex?
Male

Go to Question B5

Female

Go to Question B5

Don’t know

Continue

B4a. Information on sex cannot be provided for this defendant because
Our files do not record sex of defendant
Sex is available to be reported but not for this case
Other (please specify):

B5.

Is the defendant of Hispanic or Latino origin?
Yes

Go to Question B6

Don’t know

Continue

B5a. Ethnicity information cannot be provided for this defendant becauseOur files do not record ethnicity of defendant
Our files do not record Hispanic or Latino ethnicity separately from race
Ethnicity is available to be reported but not for this case
Other (please specify):

B6.

What is the defendant’s race? (Mark one or more)
American Indian or Alaska Native

Go to Section C (Legal Mechanism for Transfer)

Asian

Go to Section C (Legal Mechanism for Transfer)

Black or African American

Go to Section C (Legal Mechanism for Transfer)

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Go to Section C (Legal Mechanism for Transfer)

White

Go to Section C (Legal Mechanism for Transfer)

Don’t know
B6a. Race information cannot be provided for this defendant because:
Our files do not capture race
Our files do not record Hispanic or Latino ethnicity separately from race
Race is available to be reported but not for this case
Other (please specify):

Page 3

LEGAL MECHANISM FOR TRANSFER

C1.

Can this agency provide information regarding the legal mechanism that allows this defendant younger than age 18 to be
tried in criminal court?

C2.

Yes

Continue

Go to Section D (Arrest/Case Information)

For this case, what is the legal mechanism that allows this defendant younger than age 18 to be tried in criminal court?
Age of majority is lower than 18—in this state all youth of the defendant’s age under state law are adults for the purpose of
criminal prosecution regardless of the offense with which they are charged.
Transfer from juvenile court (e.g., judicial waiver, bindover, remand, decline, and certification).
Statutory exclusion or legislative exclusion—this case met state statutory criteria (age and offense) that exclude such cases from
juvenile court.
Concurrent jurisdiction, prosecutor discretion, or direct file provisions—this case met state statutory criteria (age and offense) that
allow prosecutors to file such cases in either juvenile or criminal court.
“Once an adult/always an adult”—this case met state statutory criteria (age, offense, criminal history) that require new cases
involving a juvenile previously handled or convicted in criminal court to be handled in criminal court.
Don’t know

Continue

C2a. Legal mechanism information cannot be provided for this case becauseOur files do not record this information
This information is available to be reported but not for this case
Other (please specify):

ARREST/CASE INFORMATION

The following items ask for information relating to the offense, arrest, and charges at arrest. If multiple offenses or arrests on multiple dates,
select the dates of the first offense and arrest
D1.

Date of offense
/
MM

D2.

/
DD

Date of arrest
/
MM

D3.

D4.

YYYY

/
DD

YYYY

Can you provide information on charges at arrest?
Yes

Continue

Go to Section E (Arraignment)

How many charges/counts were reported at the time of arrest?

Page 4

Please report the following information about charges at arrest relating to the selected case. If the case includes multiple changes, list no
more than five charges. Report the most serious charge in the first column and up to four additional charges. Please use the code numbers
on the Offense code list on the last page of this survey. Consider felony charges as more severe than misdemeanor charges when selecting
the most serious charge. Rank the charges based on your jurisdiction’s definition of severity classifications.

For Type of charge under an “other” category (Other violent offense, Other property offense, Other drug offense, or Other public order
offense) please describe in box for the Type of charge.

Most serious
charge

Second most
serious charge

Third most serious
charge

Fourth most serious
charge

Fifth most serious
charge

(Enter code from
Offense code list)

Other (specify)

D6. Type of charge

Felony

Misdemeanor

Other (specify)

Don’t know

D5. Type of
offense

(Select one for each
charge)

D7. Statute
number

Page 5

ARRAIGNMENT INFORMATION

E1.

Was this case dismissed before arraignment?
Yes
Date of dismissal
/
MM

/
DD

YYYY

Reason for dismissal
Dismissal/Nolle prosequi
Dismissal for want of prosecution
Sent to juvenile court for processing
Other (specify)

You have completed this survey, please see the last page.
No
E2.

Continue

Date of arraignment (i.e., the first time, subsequent to the arrest, that a formal charge(s) is entered with the criminal court)
/
MM

E3.

/
DD

YYYY

What type of legal representation did the defendant have at the arraignment?
Private attorney
Public defender
Assigned/contracted attorney
Pro se (waived right to an attorney)
Other (please specify):
Don’t know

E4.

How many charges were reported at arraignment?

E5.

Were the charges filed at arraignment the same as the charges at arrest?

E6.

Yes

Go to Section F (Adjudication)

Go to E6

Don’t know

Continue

Are the five most serious charges at arraignment the same as those listed for the arrest section above?
Yes

Skip to Section F (Adjudication)

Five most serious charges have changed from arrest

Page 6

Continue to E7

Please report the following information about charges at arraignment relating to the selected case. If the case includes multiple changes, list
no more than five charges. Report the most serious charge in the first column and up to four additional charges. Please use the code
numbers on the Offense code list on the last page of this survey. Consider felony charges as more severe than misdemeanor charges when
selecting the most serious charge. Rank the charges based on your jurisdiction’s definition of severity classifications.

For Type of charge under an “other” category (Other violent offense, Other property offense, Other drug offense, or Other public order
offense) please describe in box for the Type of charge.

Most serious
charge

Second most
serious charge

Third most serious
charge

Fourth most serious
charge

Fifth most serious
charge

(Enter code from
Offense code list)

Other (specify)

E8. Type of charge

Felony

Misdemeanor

Other (specify)

Don’t know

E7. Type of
offense

(Select one for each
charge)

E9. Statute
number

Page 7

ADJUDICATION INFORMATION

F1.

Date of final adjudication
/
MM

F2.

/
DD

YYYY

What type of legal representation did the defendant have at adjudication?
Private attorney
Public defender
Assigned/contracted attorney
Pro se (waived right to an attorney)
Other (please specify):
Don’t know

F3.

F4.

F5.

Can you provide information on charges at adjudication?
Yes

Continue

Go to Section G (Sentencing)

Were the charges at adjudication the same as those filed at arraignment?
Yes

Enter offense codes in F6, then Go to Question F9

Continue

Don’t know

Continue

How many charges were reported at adjudication?

Page 8

Please report the following information about charges at adjudication relating to the selected case. If the case includes multiple changes, list
no more than five charges. Report the most serious charge in the first column and up to four additional charges. Please use the code
numbers on the Offense code list on the last page of this survey. Consider felony charges as more severe than misdemeanor charges when
selecting the most serious charge. Rank the charges based on your jurisdiction’s definition of severity classifications.
For Type of charge under an “other” category (Other violent offense, Other property offense, Other drug offense, or Other public order
offense) please describe in box for the Type of charge.

Most serious
charge

Second most
serious charge

Third most serious
charge

Fourth most serious
charge

Fifth most serious
charge

(Enter code from
Offense code list)

Other (specify)

F7. Type of charge

Felony

Misdemeanor

Other (specify)

Don’t know

Conviction

Non-conviction

Other (specify)

Don’t know

F10. (IF OUTCOME
WAS
CONVICTION:)
Type of
conviction

Nolo contendere
(no contest)

Bench trial

Jury trial

F11. (IF OUTCOME
WAS NONCONVICTION:)
Type of nonconviction

Dismissal/Nolle
prosequi

Dismissal for
want of
prosecution

Sent to juvenile
court for
processing

Other (specify)

F6. Type of
offense

(Select one for each
charge)

F8. Statute
number

F9. What was the
outcome of
adjudication for
this charge?

Page 9

SENTENCING INFORMATION

G1.

Can you provide sentencing information about this case?

G2.

Yes

Continue

You have completed this survey, please see the last page.

Date of initial court sentence
/
MM

G3.

/
DD

YYYY

Was the offender sentenced to prison (a correctional facility for adults, primarily convicted felons, typically operated by a
state agency)?
Yes

Continue

Go to G4

Don’t know

Go to G4

G3a. Did the offender receive a life or life without parole sentence?
Yes, received life or life without parole

Go to G4

Continue

Don’t know

Continue

G3b. What was the total maximum prison sentence for all offenses?

G4.

G5.

Imposed sentence...........

Months

Suspended sentence ......

Months

Was the offender sentenced to a youthful offender facility (a separate facility for offenders younger than a certain age that is
part of the adult prison system, may have specialized programming)?
Yes

Continue

Go to G6

Don’t know

Continue

What was the total maximum length of the youthful offender facility sentence?
Months
Don’t know

G6.

Was the offender sentenced to jail (a confinement facility primarily for adults, typically operated by a local government
agency, holds both offenders awaiting adjudication and those who have been convicted, primarily misdemeanants)?
Yes

Continue

Go to G8

Don’t know

Go to G8

Page 10

G7.

What was the total maximum jail sentence?
Months
Don’t know

G8.

G9.

Was the offender sentenced to a juvenile facility (a correctional or residential placement facility primarily for juvenile
offenders, may hold youth pre- or post-adjudication, may be operated by a state or local government agency or privately
operated, may or may not be secure)?
Yes

Continue

Go to G10

Don’t know

Go to G10

What was the total maximum juvenile facility sentence?
Months
Don’t know

G10. Was the offender sentenced to probation (conditional freedom granted by a judicial officer to an adult or juvenile offender)?
Yes

Continue

Go to G12

Don’t know

Go to G12

G11. What was the length of the probation sentence?
months
Don’t know
G12. Was the offender fined (a monetary penalty imposed upon a convicted offender that must be paid to the court) and/or
assessed court costs?
Yes

Continue

Go to G14

Don’t know

Go to G14

G13. What was amount of the fine and/or court costs?
$
Don’t know
G14. Was the offender ordered to pay restitution (a court requirement that an offender pay money or provide services to the
victim of the crime or provide services to the community)?
Yes

Continue

Go to G16

Don’t know

Go to G16

G15. How much restitution was ordered?
$
Don’t know

Page 11

G16. Was some other type of sentencing imposed?
Yes

Go to 16a

You have completed this survey, please see the last page.

Don’t know

You have completed this survey, please see the last page.

G16a. What other type of sentencing was imposed? Please mark all that apply.
Treatment/Counseling
Blended sentencing (juvenile)
Other (please specify):

Thank you for participating in this study.
A pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope has been provided
Please return the survey to

Westat
SJCACC, RW 2513
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850-3129

Page 12

Offense Code Categories & Definitions

01. Murder/nonnegligent manslaughter – The willful (nonnegligent)
killing of one human being by another. Deaths caused by negligence,
attempts to kill, suicides, accidental deaths, and justifiable homicides
are excluded. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime
Index. Negligent homicide should be included under other violent
offenses/other offenses against persons.
02. Violent sexual assault – Sexual acts or attempted sexual acts with a
female or male against their will by force or threat of force. Includes
rape and violent sex acts other than forcible rape (e.g., incest, sodomy).
The term is broader than the UCR Crime Index and includes genderneutral rape or sexual assault statutes that prohibit forced sexual acts
against either sex.
03. Robbery – Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property that is in
the immediate possession of another by force or the threat of force. The
term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index and includes
forcible purse snatching.
04. Aggravated assault – Unlawful intentional inflicting of serious bodily
injury, or unlawful threat or attempt to inflict bodily injury or death, by
means of a deadly or dangerous weapon with or without actual infliction
of any injury. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime
Index. It includes conduct included under the statutory names aggravated
assault and battery, aggravated battery, assault with intent to kill, assault
with intent to commit murder or manslaughter, atrocious assault,
attempted murder, felonious assault, and assault with a deadly weapon.
05. Simple assault – Unlawful intentional inflicting, or attempted or
threatened inflicting, of less than serious bodily injury without a deadly
or dangerous weapon. The term is used in the same sense in UCR
reporting. Simple assault is often not distinctly named in statutes since
it consists of all assaults not explicitly named and defined as serious.
06. Other violent offenses/other offenses against persons – This
category includes kidnapping, custody interference, unlawful restraint,
false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, negligent or vehicular
homicide, harassment, etc., and attempts to commit any such acts.
07. Burglary – Unlawful entry or attempted entry of any fixed structure,
vehicle, or vessel used for regular residence, industry, or business, with
or without force, with intent to commit a felony or larceny. The term is
used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.
08. Larceny-theft – Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property
(other than a motor vehicle) from the possession of another, by stealth,
without force and without deceit, with intent to permanently deprive the
owner of the property. This term is used in the same sense as in the
UCR Crime Index. It includes shoplifting and purse snatching without
force.
09. Motor vehicle theft – Unlawful taking, or attempted taking, of a selfpropelled road vehicle owned by another, with the intent to deprive the
owner of it permanently or temporarily. The term is used in the same
sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It includes joyriding or unauthorized
use of a motor vehicle as well as grand theft auto.
10. Arson – Intentional damaging or destruction by means of fire or
explosion of the property of another without the owner’s consent, or of
any property with intent to defraud, or attempting the above acts. The
term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.
11. Forgery (and counterfeiting) – Altering, copying, or imitating
something without authority or right, with the intent to deceive or
defraud by passing it as that which is original or genuine. Includes the
selling, buying, or possession of an altered, copied, or imitated thing
with the intent to deceive or defraud.
12. Fraud – Unlawfully depriving a person of their money, property, or
legal right, by means of deceit or intentional misrepresentation.
Included are confidence games, credit or debit card fraud, and bad
checks, excludes forgeries and counterfeiting.
13. Embezzlement – Misappropriation or misapplication of money or
property entrusted to one’s care, custody, or control.

14. Vandalism – Destroying or damaging, or attempting to destroy or
damage, the property of another without the owner’s consent, or public
property, except by burning.
15. Stolen property offenses – Unlawfully and knowingly receiving,
buying, distributing, selling, transporting, concealing, or possessing
stolen property, or attempting any of the above. The term is used in the
same sense as the UCR category stolen property; buying, receiving,
possessing.
16. Trespassing – Unlawful entry or attempted entry of the property of
another with the intent to commit a misdemeanor, other than larceny,
or without intent to commit a crime.
17. Other property offenses – This category includes property offenses
not distinguished in the categories above (e.g., extortion, blackmail,
tampering, etc.) and attempts to commit any such offenses.
18. Drug trafficking/manufacturing – Unlawful sale, purchase,
distribution, manufacture, cultivation, or transport of a controlled or
prohibited drug or attempt to commit these acts (includes possession
with intent to sell).
19. Drug possession/use – Unlawful possession or use of a controlled or
prohibited drug or attempt to commit these acts.
20. Other drug offenses – This category includes drug law violations not
distinguished in the categories above (e.g., possession of drug
paraphernalia and visiting a place or permitting occupancy of a place
where drugs are found).
21. Weapons offenses – Unlawful sale, distribution, manufacture,
alteration, transportation, possession, or use of a deadly or dangerous
weapon, or accessory, or attempt to commit any of these acts. The
term is used in the same sense as the UCR category weapons; carrying,
possessing, etc.
22. Sex offenses (not violent) – All offenses having a sexual element not
involving violence. The term combines the meaning of the UCR
categories prostitution and commercialized vice and sex offenses. It
includes offenses such as statutory rape, indecent exposure,
prostitution, solicitation, pimping, lewdness, fornication, adultery, etc.
23. Technical violation of probation or parole – Violations of probation
or parole; acts that disobey or go against the conditions of probation or
parole. Examples include: failure to participate in a specific program,
failure to appear for drug tests or meetings, and failure to pay
restitution.
24. Obstruction of justice/failure to appear – This category includes
intentionally obstructing a court (or law enforcement) in the
administration of justice, acting in a way calculated to lessen the
authority or dignity of the court, failing to obey the lawful order of a
court, and violations of probation or parole other than technical
violations, which do not consist of the commission of a crime or are not
prosecuted as such. It includes contempt, perjury, obstructing justice,
bribing witnesses, failure to report a crime, nonviolent resisting arrest,
etc.
25. Liquor law violations (not minor in possession) – Being in a public
place while intoxicated through consumption of alcohol, or intake of a
controlled substance or drug. It includes public intoxication,
drunkenness, and other liquor law violations. It does not include driving
under the influence or minor in possession. The term is used in the
same sense as the UCR category of the same name.
26. Disorderly conduct – Unlawful interruption of the peace, quiet, or
order of a community, including offenses called disturbing the peace,
vagrancy, loitering, unlawful assembly, and riot.
27. Other offenses against public order – This category includes other
offenses against government administration or regulation, e.g., escape
from confinement, bribery, gambling, hitchhiking, health violations, false
fire alarms, immigration violations, etc.
28. Driving-related offenses – This category includes offenses consisting
of those misdemeanors and felonies relating to the operation of selfpropelled surface motor vehicles requiring an appearance in court,

Page 13

including: driving under the influence, hit and run, reckless driving, and
driving without a license. Vehicular homicide should be included under
other violent offenses/other offenses against persons.

99. UNKNOWN – use this only when no offense information is available.

Page 14

Offense Code Categories & Definitions
In Alphabetical Order
Aggravated assault-04 – Unlawful intentional inflicting of serious bodily
injury, or unlawful threat or attempt to inflict bodily injury or death, by
means of a deadly or dangerous weapon with or without actual infliction of
any injury. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.
It includes conduct included under the statutory names aggravated assault
and battery, aggravated battery, assault with intent to kill, assault with
intent to commit murder or manslaughter, atrocious assault, attempted
murder, felonious assault, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Obstruction of justice/failure to appear-24 – This category includes
intentionally obstructing a court (or law enforcement) in the administration
of justice, acting in a way calculated to lessen the authority or dignity of
the court, failing to obey the lawful order of a court, and violations of
probation or parole other than technical violations, which do not consist of
the commission of a crime or are not prosecuted as such. It includes
contempt, perjury, obstructing justice, bribing witnesses, failure to report
a crime, nonviolent resisting arrest, etc.

Arson-10 – Intentional damaging or destruction by means of fire or
explosion of the property of another without the owner’s consent, or of
any property with intent to defraud, or attempting the above acts. The
term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.

Other drug offenses-20 – This category includes drug law violations not
distinguished in the categories above (e.g., possession of drug
paraphernalia and visiting a place or permitting occupancy of a place
where drugs are found).

Burglary-07 – Unlawful entry or attempted entry of any fixed structure,
vehicle, or vessel used for regular residence, industry, or business, with or
without force, with intent to commit a felony or larceny. The term is used
in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.

Other offenses against public order-27 – This category includes other
offenses against government administration or regulation, e.g., escape
from confinement, bribery, gambling, hitchhiking, health violations, false
fire alarms, immigration violations, etc.

Disorderly conduct-26 – Unlawful interruption of the peace, quiet, or
order of a community, including offenses called disturbing the peace,
vagrancy, loitering, unlawful assembly, and riot.

Other property offenses-17 – This category includes property offenses
not distinguished in the categories above (e.g., extortion, blackmail,
tampering, etc.) and attempts to commit any such offenses.

Driving-related offenses-28 – This category includes offenses
consisting of those misdemeanors and felonies relating to the operation of
self-propelled surface motor vehicles requiring an appearance in court,
including: driving under the influence, hit and run, reckless driving, and
driving without a license. Vehicular homicide should be included under
other violent offenses/other offenses against persons.

Other violent offenses/other offenses against persons-06 – This
category includes kidnapping, custody interference, unlawful restraint,
false imprisonment, reckless endangerment, negligent or vehicular
homicide, harassment, etc., and attempts to commit any such acts.

Drug possession/use-19 – Unlawful possession or use of a controlled
or prohibited drug or attempt to commit these acts.
Drug trafficking/manufacturing-18 – Unlawful sale, purchase,
distribution, manufacture, cultivation, or transport of a controlled or
prohibited drug or attempt to commit these acts (includes possession
with intent to sell).

Robbery-03 – Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property that is in
the immediate possession of another by force or the threat of force. The
term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index and includes
forcible purse snatching.
Sex offenses (not violent)-22 – All offenses having a sexual element
not involving violence. The term combines the meaning of the UCR
categories prostitution and commercialized vice and sex offenses. It
includes offenses such as statutory rape, indecent exposure, prostitution,
solicitation, pimping, lewdness, fornication, adultery, etc.

Embezzlement-13 – Misappropriation or misapplication of money or
property entrusted to one’s care, custody, or control.
Forgery (and counterfeiting)-11 – Altering, copying, or imitating
something without authority or right, with the intent to deceive or defraud
by passing it as that which is original or genuine. Includes the selling,
buying, or possession of an altered, copied, or imitated thing with the
intent to deceive or defraud.
Fraud-12 – Unlawfully depriving a person of their money, property, or
legal right, by means of deceit or intentional misrepresentation. Included
are confidence games, credit or debit card fraud, identity-theft, and bad
checks. Exclude forgeries and counterfeiting.
Larceny-theft-08 – Unlawful taking or attempted taking of property
(other than a motor vehicle) from the possession of another, by stealth,
without force and without deceit, with intent to permanently deprive the
owner of the property. This term is used in the same sense as in the UCR
Crime Index. It includes shoplifting and purse snatching without force.
Liquor law violations (not minor in possession)-25 – Being in a
public place while intoxicated through consumption of alcohol, or intake of
a controlled substance or drug. It includes public intoxication,
drunkenness, and other liquor law violations. It does not include driving
under the influence or minor in possession. The term is used in the same
sense as the UCR category of the same name.
Motor vehicle theft-09 – Unlawful taking, or attempted taking, of a selfpropelled road vehicle owned by another, with the intent to deprive the
owner of it permanently or temporarily. The term is used in the same
sense as in the UCR Crime Index. It includes joyriding or unauthorized use
of a motor vehicle as well as grand theft auto.
Murder/nonnegligent manslaughter-01 – The willful (nonnegligent)
killing of one human being by another. Deaths caused by negligence,
attempts to kill, suicides, accidental deaths, and justifiable homicides are
excluded. The term is used in the same sense as in the UCR Crime Index.
Negligent homicide should be included under other violent offenses/other
offenses against persons.

Simple assault-05 – Unlawful intentional inflicting, or attempted or
threatened inflicting, of less than serious bodily injury without a deadly or
dangerous weapon. The term is used in the same sense in UCR reporting.
Simple assault is often not distinctly named in statutes since it consists of
all assaults not explicitly named and defined as serious.
Stolen property offenses-15 – Unlawfully and knowingly receiving,
buying, distributing, selling, transporting, concealing, or possessing stolen
property, or attempting any of the above. The term is used in the same
sense as the UCR category stolen property; buying, receiving, possessing.
Technical violation of probation or parole-23 – Violations of
probation or parole; acts that disobey or go against the conditions of
probation or parole. Examples include: failure to participate in a specific
program, failure to appear for drug tests or meetings, and failure to pay
restitution.
Trespassing-16 – Unlawful entry or attempted entry of the property of
another with the intent to commit a misdemeanor, other than larceny, or
without intent to commit a crime.
UNKNOWN-99 – use this only when no offense information is available.
Vandalism-14 – Destroying or damaging, or attempting to destroy or
damage, the property of another without the owner’s consent, or public
property, except by burning.
Violent sexual assault-02 – Sexual acts or attempted sexual acts with a
female or male against their will by force or threat of force. Includes rape
and violent sex acts other than forcible rape (e.g., incest, sodomy). The
term is broader than the UCR Crime Index and includes gender-neutral
rape or sexual assault statutes that prohibit forced sexual acts against
either sex.
Weapons offenses-21 – Unlawful sale, distribution, manufacture,
alteration, transportation, possession, or use of a deadly or dangerous
weapon, or accessory, or attempt to commit any of these acts. The term is
used in the same sense as the UCR category weapons; carrying,
possessing, etc.

Page 15

Page 16

Attachment 7: Follow Up Letter for Electronic Data

Date

Name
Title
Address
Address
Address
Dear Contact:

Thanks you for your continued participation in the Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adults Criminal Court.
BJS intends to complete collection by the end of 2015. To meet this deadline, we request that you
submit your electronic data as soon as possible. If you have inquiries regarding the collection, please
contact Cindy Helba, our data collection agent at Westat, via telephone at (301) 294-4454 or email at
helbac@westat.com. If you have any general comments about these collections, you may also contact me
at (202) 353-7381 or Tracey.Kyckelhahn@usdoj.gov.
Sincerely,

Tracey Kyckelhahn
Statistician
Bureau of Justice Statistics

Attachment 8: Follow Up Letter for Survey

Date

Name
Title
Address
Address
Address
Dear Contact:

Thanks you for your continued participation in the Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adults Criminal Court.
BJS intends to complete collection by the end of 2015. To meet this deadline, we request that you
submit the forms for your 2014 cases as soon as possible. If you have inquiries regarding the
collection, please contact Cindy Helba, our data collection agent at Westat, via telephone at (301) 2944454 or email at helbac@westat.com. If you have any general comments about these collections, you
may also contact me at (202) 353-7381 or Tracey.Kyckelhahn@usdoj.gov.
Sincerely,

Tracey Kyckelhahn
Statistician
Bureau of Justice Statistics

File Type	application/pdf
Author	Kyckelhahn, Tracey
File Modified	2014-07-30
File Created	2014-07-30