Change Indicator

Complaints filed against juveniles by offense type in North Carolina

Complaints filed against juveniles by offense type

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Note: Non-consecutive years appear adjacent in the trend line
because one or more years have been deselected.

Definition and Source

PROVIDER

Definition

The total number of complaints, including status offenses, filed against youths ages 8 to 17.
  • Class A-E includes offenses classified as violent and are considered felonies.
  • Class F-I, A1 includes offenses classified as serious and are considered misdemeanors.
  • Class 1-3 includes offenses classified as minor and are considered misdemeanors.
  • Status includes offenses committed by youth ages 10 to 17 that are not crimes if committed by adults. The terms "status" and "undisciplined" are interchangeable.
  • Infraction refers to a non-criminal violation of law by youth ages 8 to 17, punishable by up to a $100 fine (e.g., motorcycle/moped violation, riding a bicycle/skating in a public area, etc.) at offense.
  • Total complaints refer a charged offense, including violation of motor vehicle laws, that would be a crime under state law or an ordinance of local government if committed by an adult.

Notes

Juveniles may be duplicated when complaints are filed in multiple counties, or for multiple offenses.

North Carolina's juvenile justice system jurisdiction extends to youth ages 6-17 charged with status/undisciplined offenses and juveniles ages 6-15 charged with misdemeanors and felonies. Youth ages 16 and older charged with misdemeanors or felonies are prosecuted in adult courts.

Data accessed July 2023.

Last Updated

September 2023