CINCINNATI, Ohio-Hamilton County Juvenile Court has observed an increase in youth criminal issues since 2021, following major decreases from 2017 to 2020. In 2023, there were 21,527 total filings, up from 20,468 in 2022, with 4,803 related to delinquency or unruly complaints. While some serious crimes involving youth, such as assaults and robberies, have increased, others like homicides and sexual offenses have decreased. Court Administrator Elizabeth Igoe emphasized the importance of individualized approaches to each case, aiming to both keep the community safe and rehabilitate youth, often through non-punitive methods. The court engages with community members to prevent violence and support at-risk youth, particularly through “credible messengers” who offer guidance and support.
