Juvenile Delinquency Structures and Forms of Dealing with it in Budapest and Hamburg

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of juvenile delinquency in two large European cities from different social systems (period of observation: 1974-1983). We selected for comparison, crime incidence and the manner in which crime was handled.

An examination of the crime rates confirmed the impression that higher rates and higher increases of criminality occur in Western cities. The examination of specific offences (excluding certain mass offences) leads to different results, yet there is some correspondence in quantitative terms (sexual offences or homicide). These findings were established with improved instruments of research. Although Budapest's detection rates are generally higher than Hamburg's, a striking correspondence among the detection rates were obtained. Thus indicating that similar policies regarding reporting and registration exist in both countries although the actual amount of offences registered differs considerably. However, the comparison of the different processes of selection reveals another striking similarity: whilst on the level of instituted proceedings great differentials are observed, the situation changes completely at the juridical level. Almost perfect congruency can be found regarding the number of convictions so that the amount of "net-criminality" (i.e. the actual number of imposed and executed sentences), thus the forensic expenditure of work are nearly identical on both countries.

Various interpretations for these findings are discussed and further reaching questions are developed.