The paradoxical effect of a juvenile code change in Virginia

The impact of a new state juvenile code on the processing of youth through one court locale was examined using an interrupted time-series design. The intent of the new code was to limit penetration of youth into the juvenile justice system. This locale, however, showed an increased number of youth going through to court despite no increase in the number of youth arrested. The importance of this paradoxical effect for local juvenile justice planners and court officials is discussed briefly. This paper is based on research that was presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Montreal, Quebec, 1980.