Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/127330 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
Discussion Paper Series No. 519
Publisher: 
University of Heidelberg, Department of Economics, Heidelberg
Abstract: 
In this paper, we analyze the effect of the criminal justice system on juvenile recidivism. Using a unique sample of German inmates, we are able to disentangle the selection into criminal and juvenile law from the subsequent recidivism decision of the inmate. We base our identification strategy on two distinct methods. First, we jointly estimate selection and recidivism in a bivariate probit model. In a second step, we use a discontinuity in law assignment created by German legislation and apply a (fuzzy) regression discontinuity design. In contrast to the bulk of the literature, which mainly relies on US data, we do not find that the application of criminal law increases juvenile recidivism. Rather, our results suggest that sentencing adolescents as adults reduces recidivism in Germany.
Subjects: 
crime
juvenile recidivism
regression discontinuity
bivariate probit
JEL: 
K14
C21
C14
K42
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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