﻿52 



Indiana University Studies 



This study does not show the more serious offenses usually 

 shown in studies of this kind elsewhere. This may he due in 

 part to the fact that the number of cases in this study is small, 

 in part to differences in phraseology in different juvenile courts, 

 in part to the fact that in many places juvenile delinquents are 

 dealt with by courts other than juvenile courts where charges 

 of a more serious nature are named, and in part to the fact that 

 this study includes all cases brought to the attention of the court 

 while most studies of the kind include only those cases committed 

 to institutions or placed on probation. 



Because of these differences also, exact comparisons of specific 

 kinds of offenses are somewhat difficult. Comparing the per 

 cent of cases furnished to specific kinds of offense in Gary, in the 

 whole of the United States, in Detroit, in Chicago (two studies), 

 in Syracuse, X.Y.. in Xew York City, and in England, consider- 

 able variations are noticeable. In comparison with these places 

 Gary shows rather a high proportion of offenses against society, 

 due to the high proportion of offenses against morals included in 

 this class of offenses; a somewhat low proportion of offenses 

 against the person : and about the average proportion of offenses 

 against property. 



3. Disposition of Cases 6 



Disposition of cases in juvenile delinquency is made in Gary 

 in fact and in theory net alcne on the basis of the character of the 

 offense committed nor of the character of the child, but on th? 

 basis of the relation of the child to his environment. The most 

 serious cases from the point of view of the relation of the child 

 to his environment were committed to institutions, the less serious 

 from this point of view were returned to their homes on pro- 

 bation, and the least serious were dealt with out of court. 



The Xew Immigration shows the highest relative proportion 

 committed to institutions followed in order by the Old Immigra- 

 tion and the Americans; the Americans show the highest relative 

 proportions returned to parents on probation followed in order 

 by the Old Immigration and the Xew Immigration : the Americans 

 show the highest relative proportion settled out of court, fol- 

 lowed in order by the Old Immigration and the Xew Immigra- 

 tion. The least favorable relations must then exist between the 

 cases of the Xew Immigration and their environment, and thr 



^Original tables, pp. 9-13. See Preface to this study. 



