The overall probability of adjudication was greater for status offenders age 15 or younger than for those age 16 or older (55% versus 49%) in 1997 (figure 23). The likelihood of adjudication was higher for the younger group for each of the four major status offense categories (table 69). Between 1988 and 1997, the likelihood of adjudication declined for status offense cases involving younger youth (from 68% to 55%) and older youth (from 63% to 49%). The likelihood of adjudication declined in all offense categories for both age groups.

Adjudicated status offense cases involving juveniles younger than 16 were more likely to result in out-of-home placement than were cases involving older youth (16% versus 11%) in 1997 (table 70). The proportion of adjudicated cases resulting in out-of-home placement declined more for youth age 15 or younger than for youth age 16 or older between 1988 and 1997.

Adjudicated status offense cases involving younger juveniles were more likely to result in formal probation than were cases involving older juveniles (63% versus 57%) in 1997 (table 71). A larger proportion of the older group was ordered to pay fines or to enter a treatment or counseling program (29% versus 18%), possibly reflecting the greater involvement of older juveniles in status liquor law violation cases. The overall proportion of adjudicated cases that resulted in formal probation remained about the same for youth age 15 or younger but increased for youth age 16 or older between 1988 and 1997.