Public Perceptions of Juvenile Justice in North Carolina

Abstract

Prior research has examined the public’s perceptions on severity of punishment between youths and adults. While much of this literature acknowledges the developmental differences between youth and adults, it is limited in scope. Studies that examine the differences between youth and adults on culpability, blameworthiness, and severity of punishment in the criminal justice system primarily utilize older data (1990s and early 2000s) and use small samples (e.g., Miller & Applegate, 2015; Poythress et al., 2006). The current study seeks to expand on prior research by asking members of the public within North Carolina about their perceptions of culpability, blameworthiness, and severity of punishment ask it relates to the “Raise the Age” legislation that was passed in North Carolina in 2019. In doing so, age is parsed out to reflect any differences in perceptions for 14- and 15-year-olds compared to 16- and 17-year-olds.

Based on the limitations of previous research, this study has two primary research questions. This research's central questions are: (1) what is the difference in the perceptions of blameworthiness and culpability between youth and adults? More specifically, (1a) do adults in North Carolina perceive youth ages 14-15 as less blameworthy when compared to adults? And (1b) do adults in North Carolina perceive youth ages 16-17 as less blameworthy when compared to adults? The current study also seeks to answer a second primary research question that asks (2) do members of the public feel that youth who are convicted of felony offenses should be penalized like adults and does this differ for 14–15-year-olds compared to 16–17-year-olds. To answer these research questions, a Qualtrics survey was sent out via Connect for Researchers to every individual in North Carolina aged 18 or older and had an active Connect account. Connect identified that 389 individuals were eligible to participate in this study. Responses have been received from 240 participants, and data collection is ongoing.

Results from the current study will provide insight into the public’s perception of how the juvenile justice system handles youth in North Carolina. Using recent data and asking pertinent questions about the “Raise the Age” legislation will allow us to understand if the public views a clear distinction between youth and adults. Moreover, the results will allow us to investigate if the public believes that older youth should be sanctioned like adults.