How do juvenile crime statistics compare to adult crime statistics?

Juvenile crime rates in West Virginia are significantly lower than adult crime rates. According to the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services, in 2019 there were 10,274 juvenile arrests for delinquency, compared to 71,922 adult arrests for criminal offenses. This means that for every one juvenile arrest, there were seven adult arrests. On a per capita basis, West Virginia had a delinquency arrest rate of 8.5 per 1,000 youth, whereas the adult arrest rate was 204.3 per 1,000 population. This means that the adult arrest rate was more than 24 times higher than the juvenile arrest rate. The delinquency arrest rate for West Virginia juveniles decreased steadily between 2010 and 2019, falling by more than 60%. During that same time, there was little change in the adult arrest rate. These numbers indicate that, compared to adult crime, juvenile crime is much less of a problem in West Virginia. However, it is important to note that this does not mean juvenile crime is not a problem. It is essential that the state of West Virginia continue to invest in programs and initiatives to reduce juvenile crime in order to help ensure the safety of young people and the communities they live in.

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