Juvenile Arrests Dropping in South Dakota

A drop in juvenile arrests might indicate South Dakota's efforts to reform its juvenile justice system are paying off.

 

Juvenile arrests in the state have fallen more than 10 percent for a second year, according to a report from the South Dakota Attorney General's office. Last year's 12.5 percent drop comes after a 15 percent decrease in 2013.

Attorney General Marty Jackley credited alternative juvenile detention services and improved support systems reduced the number of reoffenders, likely causing the downward trend.

"It's satisfied me to see these reductions," Jackley said.