Examining the impact of racial/ethnic threat on juvenile court outcomes: a multi-level approach

ABSTRACT The current study examines whether racial/ethnic threat theory can explain juvenile court outcomes. Specifically, we look at Black population threat and Latino population threat. We also introduce White population as a threat that can be incorporated into the theory. Using data from over 55,000 juvenile court cases in over 400 neighborhoods, we found mixed support racial/ethnic threat. Latino population threat had the greatest impact on juvenile court outcomes, while Black population threat and White population threat had less support and also findings that are inconsistent with the theory. Empirical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed along with directions for future research.