Most juvenile crime in New Orleans committed by small percentage of offenders

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A small percentage of offenders account for most of the charges heard in New Orleans Juvenile Court, according to an analysis presented to the New Orleans City Council today.

"Thirteen percent of the juveniles make up 50 percent of the charges," said crime analyst Jeff Asher. "A third of the juveniles that were arrested last year make up 75 percent of all of the charges."

Council vice president Jason Williams said those are the kids that need the most help before they get out of control.

"You got a kid who got in trouble once and has done everything right, that's not a kid we're talking about, but that big number," he said, "those are the kids we want in these programs -- the kids who are the most marginalized."