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ABSTRACT
Juvenile sex offenders have received increased scrutiny in recent years. They present significant dispositional problems for the courts and for social service agencies. Numerous disposition decisions are made based on considerations of risk of sexual reoffense. However, little empirical data exist regarding identified recidivism risk factors for this population. Massachusetts' legal standards require a finding of a “likelihood of serious harm” in order for juveniles to be retained by the Department of Youth Services beyond their eighteenth birthdays. There is a limited understanding of juvenile sex offender recidivism risk factors; yet, risk assessments of this type are statutorily required. This article presents an illustrative Massachusetts case and discusses limitations inherent in such an assessment.