Nonsubstantive Change Memo to OMB for alteration of reference period

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Washington, D.C. 20531

MEMORANDUM

TO: Shelly Martinez

Desk Officer

Office of Statistical Science and Policy

Office of Management and Budget

THROUGH: Lynn Murray

Clearance Officer

Justice Management Division

William J. Sabol

Acting Director

Howard Snyder

Deputy Director

FROM: Tracey Kyckelhahn

Statistician

SUBJECT: Non-substantive Change to OMB# 1121-0349 Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adult Criminal Court (SJCACC)

DATE: December 15, 2014

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise OMB of changes to the Survey of Juveniles Charged in Adult Criminal Court (SJCACC) data collection reference year from 2014 to 2013. BJS has attached the survey form, instruction guides, and participant invitation letter that reflects the change in year.

The SJCACC will collect data on juveniles charged in adult criminal court. It is the first nationally representative collection of its kind and will provide researchers and policymakers with tools to evaluate the outcomes of this unique population. This collection will also provide information on the availability of court information in each state, which will provide a foundation for the upcoming National Judicial Reporting Program. Obtaining this information quickly will therefore benefit other court projects.

OMB clearance for the SJCACC data collection, ICR reference number 201408-1121-00349 was approved on November 4, 2014 (Attachment 1).

Data Collection Schedule

The OMB clearance granted BJS approval to collect 2014 data on cases disposed in state criminal courts, with collection beginning early January of 2015. However, new information indicates that some states may be unable to provide 2014 data for up to six months after the end of the year. There are primarily two reasons for this delay. First, some states require lengthier data verification processing than others and data collection for these states may be delayed up to half a year. Second, some states produce their own reports and may not wish to release the data prior to those reports. These reports are based on the states’ fiscal years. As BJS is requesting calendar year data, BJS would be required to wait until 2016 for 2014 data for these states as the time period would overlap with two of their fiscal years, further delaying the project.

The collection experienced unexpected delays early in its design phase. As hese data are highly sought by multiple agencies in the federal government, juvenile court judges, researchers, and policy makers it is important to insure there are not further obstacles.

Burden

It is estimated that the burden will stay the same or decrease by changing the reference year from 2014 to 2013. The states will have already done their own processing for 2013 data by the beginning of 2015, which in some states will not be the case for 2014 data.

Electronic and hardcopy instruction guides

The survey instruction guide (Attachment 2) and the electronic data extract guide (Attachment 3) were updated to change the reference year from 2014 to 2013.

Revised correspondence

BJS updated the approved correspondence letter from Westat/National Center for Juvenile Justice (Attachment 4). The only change was to the reference year.

Summary

BJS seeks OMB approval of the above noted change to the reference year of the SJCACC collection. BJS will work to expeditiously respond to any inquiries and/or requests for additional information.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Attachments:

Attachment 1: OMB clearance for the SJCACC data collection, ICR reference number 201408-1121-00349

Attachment 2: SJCACC Hardcopy Survey Guide

Attachment 3: SJCACC Electronic Data Extraction Guide

Attachment 4: Westat/NCJJ SJCACC participant letter