2026 OCAP State of the Child Report

JUVENILE ARRESTS JUVENILE ARREST RATES SHOW RECENT DECLINE WITH EARLY INTERVENTION CREDITED FOR DECREASED RECIDIVISM DESCRIPTION OF INDICATOR This indicator tracks youth ages 10 to 17 who are taken into custody in a manner authorized by law. Arrests may involve a felony, misdemeanor, status offense, or infraction. Felonies typically include violent crimes (such as murder, assault, and rape), some property and drug offenses, and other serious crimes. Misdemeanors include offenses such as assault and battery, petty theft, and other less serious drug- or alcohol-related offenses.

Why is this Indicator Important?

Findings 1 • Total juvenile arrests rose steadily from 2020 to 2024, then declined in 2025. This indicates a multi-year increase with an early potential sign of reduction. • Violent offenses remain a significant portion of felony arrests, increasing from 43.6% in 2024 to 47.1% in 2025. Despite the decline in felony arrests, violent crime remains a concern. • The share of arrests involving violent offenses has been increasing since 2020, representing a larger percentage of total arrests in more recent years, while drug offenses account for a smaller share than in earlier years.

An arrest is often the first formal contact 10- to 17-year-old adolescents have with the juvenile justice system. If this initial encounter leads to repeated offending, the likelihood of a chronic criminal career rises sharply. Early intervention aims to prevent this escalation. The U.S. government’s youth.gov notes that intervening early not only prevents the onset of delinquent behavior but also decreases recidivism by about 16% and builds young people’s assets and resilience. The Riverside County Probation Department addresses youth truancy through cross‑agency collaboration, family outreach, and supervision‑based support. It works with the Riverside County Office of Education, the Department of Public Social Services, and others on attendance barriers, participates in county truancy‑prevention efforts, and promotes school attendance and performance for justice‑involved youth through programs and regular partner coordination.

1 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (ESUP), Enterprise Supervision Data Management (ESUP), Riverside County Probation Department. (n.d.).

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