During the 1980s, the population of juvenile correctional facilities became increasingly overrepresented by non-White youths. As a way of analyzing these trends, this study examined data on juvenile court processing of White and non-White youths in a sample of 159 counties. The findings indicated that non-White youths were more likely to be referred to and petitioned in court, to be detained, and to be placed outside the home. Further, the disparity between White and non-White youths increased from 1985 to 1989. These trends, however, varied significantly among the counties included in the sample thus suggesting the need for comparative analyses.
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