factors that impact on the decertification decision; decertified and non-decertified (i.e., still in adult court) youth in terms of court outcomes, and recidivism in the two groups. Generally speaking, the more serious offenders were retained in adult court. However, there appears to be no difference in punishment certainty and recidivism between decertified and non-decertified offenders, although youth in the adult system typically receive longer confinement time and case processing time. The statute is not achieving its goals.

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