A new report by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety revealed that juvenile crime has declined 55 percent over the last 13 years, and total arrests are approaching a 30-year low.
Dana Swayze, a crime data analyst for the DPS, said intervention techniques have helped keep children out of handcuffs.
“I knew there was a decline, I could see that, but I was really surprised to see that, wow, we’ve really come full circle on our data with kids and our involvement with kids in the justice system,” said Swayze. “That that trend line was so clear.”
Looking at the Trend Line
The trend line Swayze references charts the total number of juvenile arrests since 1980. You can see an abbreviated version of the chart below, or take a look at the full chart here on page 7.
In addition, property crimes involving theft, burglary and arson have fallen to a 30-year low. Violent crime has risen slightly since 1980, but it has fallen significantly since its peak years in the 1990’s.
Swayze said she was encouraged by the results, but couldn’t point to one specific reason why the number of juvenile arrests had fallen so significantly since its peak in 1998. She said it was likely new government regulations and programs for at-risk youth contributed to the decrease.
Avery Appelman, a criminal defense attorney in Minneapolis, Minnesota, said he’s taking on less juvenile cases than he did in the past.
“When you look at the numbers, you have to be pleased that they have fallen off so dramatically since the peak years in the late 90s,” said Appelman. “Arrests are down all across the board – assault, rape, murder, robbery, curfew violations – you name it, it’s decreased significantly over the last 15 years.
Appelman also said he believes kids are making better choices than they did 20 years ago, and he smiled as he added, “professional legal representation never hurts, either.”
Related sources: MPR News, Minnesota Department of Public Safety
