Comparison of Case Processing Under the Young Offenders Act and the First Six Months of the Youth Criminal Justice Act

Table 8: The Percentage of Cases Detained by Police before and after the YCJA, by Selected Case Characteristics
% detained by police: YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample		 YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample
(a) Hybrid offence against the
person (less serious violent):		 No hybrid person charge Hybrid person charge
Detained by police 46.0% 54.6% 42.8% 43.6%
Total number of cases 1343 295 446 78
Chi-square, df=1, p value 7.11, p<.01 0.02, n.s.

% detained by police: YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample		 YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample
(b) Indictable offence against the person (more serious violent): No serious person charge Serious person charge
Detained by police 43.3% 51.0% 70.0% 72.7%
Total number of cases 1659 351 130 22
Chi-square, df=1, p value 6.98, p<.01 0.07, n.s.

% detained by police: YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample		 YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample
(c) Prior convictions 0 to 2 past convictions 3+ past convictions
Detained by police 38.4% 41.7% 60.5% 73.2%
Total number of cases 1239 247 550 127
Chi-square, df=1, p value 0.93, n.s. 7.11, p<.01

% detained by police: YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample		 YOA
sample		 YCJA
sample
(d) Prior probation breaches No past probation breach conviction Past probation breach conviction
Detained by police 42.8% 47.2% 57.5% 76.1%
Total number of cases 1490 307 299 67
Chi-square, df=1, p value 2.08, n.s. 7.95, p<.01