This research examines the effects of trying adolescent felony offenders as adults.

Most states have changed their laws in the past decade to be more punitive toward adolescent felony offenders, either by broadening the charges for which a juvenile can be tried as an adult, or by lowering the age at which the offender is considered an adult. There is little empirical information on the impacts of trying adolescents as adults rather than juveniles on subsequent legal and social outcomes. Nor has there been little systematic research to determine an optimal age at which to assign adolescent offenders to adult or juvenile court jurisdiction to reduce the likelihood of further antisocial or criminal behavior.

Our studies utilize the strategy of comparing outcomes of youth in neighboring states that process juvenile offenders in different court systems. This strategy enables comparison of adolescents arrested for equivalent delinquent behavior and minimizes the selection problem inherent in within-jurisdiction investigations.

The Impact on Recidivism of the Decision to Prosecute Adolescent Felony Offenders as Adults or Juveniles
This retrospective study examines the recidivism of adolescents who were adjudicated five years ago on felony robbery, assault, and burglary charges. Youth who are charged with these crimes in New Jersey are ordinarily tried in juvenile court, while youth who commit an equivalent crime in New York are normally tried in adult court.  This research is a replication and extension of Fagan's (1996) earlier study.  This study is supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

The Correctional Experience of Adolescent Felony Offenders in Adult and Juvenile Facilities
This prospective study compares the correctional experience of adolescents in New Jersey with those in New York who are confined in juvenile or adult facilities. The adolescents interviewed are adjudicated on felony robbery, assault, and burglary charges. In New Jersey, adolescent offenders are detained in juvenile facilities, and in New York, they are incarcerated in both juvenile and adult facilities. This study is longitudinal; initial interviews of detained juveniles will be followed up by post-release interviews over the next several years. Outcome measures include criminal justice outcomes such as recidivism as well social outcomes such as employment, and family and peer relationships. This study is supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Open Society Institute.