Race, neighborhood disadvantage, and antisocial behavior among female juvenile offenders

The current study evaluated the significance of two theoretical positions, differential involvement and differential selection, that may lead to disproportionate minority contact among female juvenile offenders. Using a longitudinal, multimethod research design, reoffending was assessed prospectively using self‐report data and official records of offending; neighborhood disadvantage was assessed using census level data. Results supported the differential selection hypothesis and found that Black girls were significantly more likely to get rearrested, particularly for nonviolent crimes, but both Black and White girls self‐reported similar levels of antisocial behavior. After accounting for neighborhood disadvantage, race was not significantly associated with nonviolent rearrest. The results highlight the important role of neighborhoods in explaining the discrepant representation of Black girls within the juvenile and criminal justice systems. They further suggest that neighborhoods might be a key conduit by which minorities are differentially “selected” into the justice system.