This year's data shows a significant decline in juvenile offenses. However, because of relatively low numbers, comparing numbers for just two years may not reflect a true trend. For example, overall referrals showed a decline of 10% between 2000 and 2001. However, the same data showed an increase of 10% from 1999 to 2000.
As with the criminal caseload, the low violent crime rate in North Dakota is reflected in its juvenile court statistics. Offenses against persons made up 5% of the juvenile court caseload. Meanwhile, status offenses (offenses which only a child can commit) made up 20% of the caseload. Property offenses comprise 22%; traffic offense, 4%; deprivation, 2%; and other delinquency, 52% of the juvenile caseload.
The method by which cases were disposed shows a continued reliance on adjusted/diverted proceedings. Of the cases heard, 47% were disposed of through adjusted/diverted
proceedings in 2001, compared to 46% in 2000 and 53% in 1999. The use of informal probation adjustments decreased in 2001. The formal juvenile court caseload reflects an increase over previous years. Tables comparing the types of dispositions and reasons for referral to the juvenile court in 2000 and 2001 follow. As in previous years, the illegal possession or purchase of alcoholic beverages continues to be the most common single reason for referral to the juvenile court.
| Judicial District | Formal 2001 2000 | Informal/ Probation 2001 2000 | Adjusted/ Diverted 2001 2000 | Total Dispositions 2001 2000 | Percent Diff. | ||||
| East Central | 552 | 600 | 769 | 557 | 662 | 719 | 1,983 | 1,876 | 5.7% |
| Northeast | 301 | 375 | 210 | 533 | 954 | 681 | 1,465 | 1,589 | -7.8% |
| NE Central | 620 | 351 | 516 | 585 | 652 | 575 | 1,788 | 1,511 | 18.3% |
| Northwest | 312 | 251 | 780 | 749 | 644 | 892 | 1,736 | 1,892 | -8.2% |
| South Central | 336 | 350 | 550 | 627 | 1,306 | 1,425 | 2,192 | 2,402 | -8.7% |
| Southeast | 317 | 217 | 539 | 506 | 665 | 791 | 1,521 | 1,514 | 0.5% |
| Southwest | 143 | 96 | 115 | 294 | 323 | 253 | 581 | 643 | -9.6% |
| TOTAL | 2,581 | 2,240 | 3,479 | 3,851 | 5,206 | 5,336 | 11,266 | 11,427 | -1.4% |
| 2001 | 2000 | % Diff. | FAMILY | 2,135 | 2,738 | -30.0 |
| Runaway (instate resident) | 609 | 883 | -31.0 | |
| Runaway (out-of-state resident) | 26 | 24 | 8.3 | |
| Truancy | 344 | 472 | -27.1 | |
| Ungovernable Behavior | 703 | 759 | -7.4 | |
| Curfew | 354 | 506 | -30.0 | |
| Other Unruly | 99 | 94 | 5.3 | |
| DELINQUENCY | 8,178 | 9,498 | -13.9 | |
| Offenses Against Persons | 613 | 695 | -11.8 | |
| Assault | 535 | 607 | -11.9 | |
| Homicide (attempted) | 3 | 0 | n/a | |
| Kidnapping | 0 | 0 | n/a | |
| Other Offenses Against Persons | 5 | 17 | -70.6 | |
| Sex Offenses | 70 | 71 | -1.4 | |
| Offenses Against Property | 2,413 | 2,873 | -16.0 | |
| Arson | 12 | 16 | -25.0 | |
| Burglary | 267 | 200 | 33.5 | |
| Criminal Mischief/Vandalism | 439 | 526 | -16.5 | |
| Criminal Trespass | 165 | 181 | 8.8 | |
| Forgery | 42 | 39 | 7.7 | |
| Other Property Offenses | 48 | 136 | -64.7 | |
| Robbery | 2 | 2 | 0.0 | |
| Shoplifting | 675 | 768 | -12.1 | |
| Theft | 763 | 1,005 | -24.1 | |
| Traffic Offenses | 457 | 560 | -18.4 | |
| DUI/Physical Control | 102 | 78 | 30.8 | |
| Driving without License | 262 | 309 | -15.2 | |
| Other Traffic | 93 | 173 | -46.2 | |
| Other Offenses | 4,695 | 5,370 | -12.6 | |
| Check Offenses | 24 | 95 | -41.5 | |
| City Ordinances | 53 | 95 | -44.2 | |
| Disorderly Conduct | 682 | 735 | -7.2 | |
| Weapons | 32 | 59 | -45.8 | |
| Game and Fish | 69 | 76 | -9.2 | |
| Obstruction | 29 | 228 | -87.3 | |
| Other Public Order | 267 | 132 | 102.3 | |
| Possession/Purchase Alcohol | 2,482 | 2,863 | -13.3 | |
| Controlled Substance - Possession | 617 | 596 | 3.5 | |
| Controlled Substance - Delivery | 33 | New category | ||
| Tobacco | 407 | 554 | -26.5 | |
| DEPRIVATION | 587 | 630 | -6.8 | |
| Abandonment | 0 | 1 | -100.0 | |
| Abuse/Neglect | 95 | 158 | -39.9 | |
| Deprived | 492 | 471 | 4.5 | |
| SPEC. PROCEEDING | 127 | 282 | -55.0 | |
| Termination of Parental Rights (Involuntary) | 37 | 68 | -45.6 | |
| Termination of Parental Rights (Voluntary) | 33 | 45 | -26.7 | |
| Other Special Proceeding | 57 | 169 | -66.3 | |
| TOTAL | 11,027 | 13,148 | -16.1 |