Document Type
Honors Thesis
Abstract
Pre-adjudication detention involves confining juveniles while they await a hearing, aimed at ensuring court appearance and upholding public safety. However, the use of pre-adjudication detention has expanded significantly, which has raised concerns regarding the impact on juvenile justice outcomes. This study reviews established peer-reviewed research and observational data from internships to evaluate how this type of detention influences legal outcomes and juvenile development. The research findings demonstrate that detention is associated with harsher dispositions, higher recidivism rates, and long-term consequences. For example, a 38% reduction in high school graduation rates is attributed to pre-adjudication detention. Research has also shown that extralegal factors, such as race, influence detention decisions, creating a disadvantage for juveniles of color. This research highlights a disconnect between empirical evidence and courtroom practices, ultimately showing the need for reform to prevent detention from becoming a detrimental turning point in a juvenile's life.
Disciplines
Criminology and Criminal Justice | Juvenile Law
Publication Date
4-10-2026
Language
English
Faculty Mentor of Honors Project
Zerita Hall
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Recommended Citation
Morrow, Ella, "Detention Before Adjudication: Evaluating Its Role in Juvenile Justice Outcomes" (2026). 2026 Spring Honors Capstones Projects. 7.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/honors_spring2026/7