U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Bureau of Justice Statistics

P at terns & T rends

Arrest in the United States, 1990-2010
Howard N. Snyder, Ph.D., BJS Statistician

Highlights

Introduction

„„ The number of murder arrests in the U.S. fell by half

The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program collects
counts of arrests (including citations and summonses) in several
offense and demographic categories from participating state
and local law enforcement agencies. For many years, the FBI has
published national estimates of arrests based on these data in its
Crime in the United States series. In Crime in the United States,
2010, the FBI estimated that state and local law enforcement
agencies made a total of 13,122,000 arrests in 2010, and provided
national arrest estimates in 28 separate offense categories.

between 1990 and 2010. The adult and juvenile arrest
rates dropped substantially in the 1990s, while both
continued to fall about 20% between 2000 and 2010,
reaching their lowest levels since at least 1990.
„„ The forcible rape arrest rate fell 59% between 1990

and 2010, relatively consistently across the period.
„„ While the aggravated assault arrest rate fell 31%

between 1990 and 2010, the simple assault arrest rate
remained essentially unchanged over the period. In
2010, the simple assault arrest rate for females was at
its highest level in at least two decades, up 75% since
1990; in contrast, in 2010, the male arrest rate was at
its lowest level in two decades, 12% below its 1990
level.
„„ The male arrest rate for larceny-theft in 2010 was

about half of the rate in 1990. In comparison, the
female arrest rate in 2010 was just 8% below its 1990
level. The female rate fell 25% between 1990 and
2000, remained constant for several years, then grew
between 2005 and 2010 to erase most of the decline
experienced in the 1990s.
„„ The male arrest rate for motor vehicle theft in 2010

was a fourth of its 1990 level, and the female arrest
rate was half its 1990 value.
„„ The juvenile and adult arrest rates for weapon law

violations in 2010 were half of what they had been at
their peaks in mid-1990s.
„„ There were 80% more arrests for drug possession

or use in 2010 than in 1990. Even though the rate
declined between 2006 and 2010, the arrest rate for
drug possession or use in 2010 was still 46% above
its 1990 level and was at levels similar to those seen
between 1997 and 2002.
„„ In 2010, state and local law enforcement agencies

made one arrest for drug sale or manufacture for every
four arrests for drug possession or use. While the arrest
rate for drug possession or use increased substantially
between 1990 and 2010, the arrest rate for drug sale
or manufacture in 2010 was at its lowest level in the
period, and 30% below its 1990 level.

October 2012, NCJ 239423

This report expands the FBI’s set of published national arrest
estimates to include estimates of arrests in various age, sex, and
race groups within offense categories (tables 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6) and
changes in arrest rates by offense and demographic groups (table
7). The report also contains graphs displaying trends in arrest
rates for individual offenses between 1990 and 2010 and graphs
of age-specific arrest rates for 1990, 2000 and 2010. These figures
show changes in arrest rates and provide insight into the flow of
individuals into the criminal justice system over time.
To interpret the arrest statistics in this report, readers should
review the FBI’s counting rules discussed in the Methodology.
This report uses arrest rates rather than arrest counts to display
arrest trends because rates control for changes in the size of the
reference population over the period. In addition, readers should
carefully review graph legends before studying the report’s
graphs because some arrest rates have been multiplied by a
constant to make the trends more visible.
In addition to this report, the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
has an online data analysis tool that enables users to generate
graphs and tables of national arrest trends and arrest rates for
a large set of offenses and population subgroups. Although this
report does not analyze arrests and arrest rates by the offender’s
race, arrest data by race are available in the online tool on the
BJS website. This data tool enables users to produce, with little
effort, customized information that is often not readily available
or that cannot be found in any other source.

BJS
HJS

P at terns & T rends
Table 1

Arrest in the United States, by sex, age group, and race, 2010
Sex
Total
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
Forcible rape
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault
Property
Burglary
Larceny-theft
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Forgery and counterfeiting
Fraud
Embezzlement
Stolen property offenses
Vandalism
Drug
Drug abuse violations
Drug sale/manufacturing
Drug possession/use
Other
Weapon law violations
Prostitution and commercialized vice
Other sex offenses
Gambling
Offenses against family and children
Driving under the influence
Liquor laws
Drunkenness
Disorderly conduct
Vagrancy
Suspicion
Curfew and loitering law violations
Runaways
All other offenses except traffic
Violent Crime Indexc
Property Crime Indexd

Male
Female
13,122,110 9,792,190 3,329,920

Age group
Juvenile
under age 18
Adult
1,642,650 11,479,470

Race
APIb
White
Black
AIANa
9,122,010 3,655,620 186,120 158,370

11,200
20,090
112,300
408,490
1,292,450

9,980
19,860
98,600
316,460
944,970

1,230
230
13,700
92,030
347,480

1,010
2,870
27,190
44,820
210,240

10,190
17,220
85,110
363,670
1,082,200

5,540
13,210
48,310
260,770
850,800

5,430
6,300
62,020
136,400
406,490

120
290
780
6,100
19,260

110
280
1,180
5,220
15,910

289,770
1,271,410
71,490
11,300
78,100
187,890
16,620
94,800
252,750

245,770
717,770
58,980
9,350
48,780
109,740
8,230
76,230
204,860

44,000
553,640
12,500
1,950
29,320
78,150
8,390
18,570
47,890

65,200
281,060
15,760
4,560
1,690
5,770
440
14,640
77,070

224,570
990,350
55,730
6,740
76,410
182,120
16,170
80,160
175,690

195,780
875,620
45,340
8,520
51,860
123,420
11,020
61,860
186,570

88,740
359,080
24,200
2,520
24,890
61,190
5,160
31,250
59,180

2,500
18,130
890
130
440
1,560
110
760
4,210

2,750
18,570
1,060
130
900
1,730
330
940
2,790

1,638,850 1,324,860
302,310 249,050
1,336,530 1,075,810

313,980
53,260
260,720

170,570
23,800
146,770

1,468,270
278,510
1,189,760

1,093,910
181,370
912,580

519,830
116,830
402,940

11,240
1,740
9,510

13,870
2,370
11,500

159,020 145,600
62,670
19,480
72,630
67,020
9,940
9,010
111,060
83,250
1,412,220 1,078,070
512,790 366,850
560,720 463,240
615,170 444,840
32,030
25,680
1,170
890
94,800
66,690
----3,720,400 2,827,140
552,080 444,890
1,643,960 1,031,870

13,420
43,190
5,610
930
27,810
334,150
145,940
97,480
170,340
6,350
280
28,110
--893,260
107,180
612,100

31,360
1,040
12,970
1,350
3,780
12,030
94,710
12,700
155,940
2,140
130
94,800
--296,790
75,890
366,590

127,660
61,630
59,660
8,590
107,280
1,400,200
418,080
548,020
459,240
29,900
1,030
0
--3,423,610
476,190
1,277,370

92,630
63,710
33,990
26,590
53,490
17,130
2,860
6,650
74,270
34,030
1,209,990 162,160
424,990
62,930
461,340
84,920
390,410 208,760
17,900
13,190
740
410
56,190
36,300
----2,470,680 1,146,150
327,840 210,150
1,125,260 474,550

1,100
430
950
40
2,000
18,310
17,790
10,820
10,830
720
10
1,010
--55,580
7,300
21,650

1,590
1,650
1,050
390
760
21,760
7,080
3,650
5,180
210
10
1,300
--48,000
6,790
22,510

Note: Counts may not sum to total due to rounding. The offense categories are based on the FBI’s classification system. See the Methodology for details on UCR
counting rules.
---Not collected. As of 2010, the UCR Program no longer collected arrests for runaways.
aAmerican Indian or Alaska Native.
bAsian, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander.
cThe Violent Crime Index is the sum of arrests for murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
dThe Property Crime Index is the sum of arrests for burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates based on FBI’s Age, Sex, and Race Summarized Yearly Arrest Master Files, 2010.

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	2

P at terns & T rends
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
The UCR defines murder (and non-negligent manslaughter) as the
willful killing of one human being by another. It excludes deaths
caused by negligence, accidental deaths, and justifiable homicides
(i.e., the killing of a felon by a law enforcement officer in the line of
duty, or the killing of a felon during the commission of a felony by a
private citizen).
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
11,200 arrests for murder in 2010 (table 1). Females were 11% of
these arrests. The median age in murder arrests was 26 (i.e., half
of all murder arrests involved persons age 26 or younger, and half
involved persons age 26 or older). Nine percent of murder arrests in
2010 involved a juvenile (i.e., a person under age 18), 18% involved
persons age 40 or older, and 8% involved persons age 50 or older.
The murder arrest rate declined substantially between 1990 and 2010,
falling 61% over the period (figure 1, table 7). While most of the
decline occurred between 1990 and 2000, the arrest rate continued
to decline between 2000 and 2010, falling 23% in the period. The
murder arrest rate in 2010 was at its lowest level in at least two
decades. In absolute terms, the number of murder arrests in the U.S.
was cut in half between 1990 and 2010, from 23,000 arrests in 1990
to 11,200 arrests in 2010. For murder and most of the other offenses
discussed in this report, the large declines in arrest rates were mainly
due to decreases in the respective crime rates.
The murder arrest trends between 1990 and 2010 were generally
similar for males and females (and therefore similar to the overall
trend) (figure 2).* The arrest rate trends differed for juveniles
and adults (figure 3). In the early 1990s, as the adult rate declined
marginally, the juvenile arrest rate for murder reached historic
highs, peaking in 1993. Between 1993 and 2000, while the adult
arrest rate dropped 44%, the juvenile arrest rate fell 71%. Between
2000 and 2010, although the adult and the juvenile arrest rates did
not decline as much as they had in the 1990s, both rates continued
their downward trend to fall around 20% over the period. In 2010,
both the juvenile and the adult arrest rates were at their lowest
levels since at least 1990.

Figure 1
Murder arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
10
8
6
4
2
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2005

2010

Figure 2
Murder arrest rates, by sex
Arrests/100,000
20
Male
15
10

Female*8

5
0
1990

1995

2000

Figure 3

Murder arrest rates, by age group
Arrests/100,000
25
20
15
10

Juvenile*4

5

Adult

The murder arrest rate peaked in 2010 at age 19 (figure 4). As these
age-arrest curves show, the changes in murder arrest rates over
the period from 1990 to 2010 did not occur uniformly across age
groups. While the period from 1990 to 2000 saw large declines
across all age groups, the overall decline in the murder arrest rate
between 2000 and 2010 was primarily the result of continuing
declines in arrests for older juveniles and young adults (i.e., persons
between 17 and 29 years old).

Arrests/100,000
50
1990
40

*Some arrest rates have been multiplied by a constant to make the trends more visible.

30

0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 4

Murder age-arrest curves

2000

20
10
0
10

2010
20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	3

P at terns & T rends
Forcible rape and other sex offenses
Currently, for UCR arrest statistics, forcible rape is defined as the
carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. This
definition includes rape, attempts to rape, and assaults to rape,
regardless of the age of the victim. This definition of forcible rape
is limited to the act of sexual intercourse, or the penetration of a
female sexual organ by a male sexual organ. Forcible rape excludes
other types of violent sexual assaults (i.e., forcible sodomy, forcible
sex with an object, and forcible fondling) and other types of sex
offenses (e.g., prostitution, commercialized vice, incest, indecent
exposure, and statutory rape).
State and local law enforcement agencies made about 20,100 arrests
for forcible rape in 2010. Females were 1% of these arrests. The
median age in forcible rape arrests was 28. Fourteen percent of
these arrests in 2010 involved a juvenile, 23% involved persons age
40 or older, and 9% involved persons age 50 or older.
The forcible rape arrest rate fell 59% between 1990 and 2010
(figure 5). The decline was relatively consistent across the period.
In the most recent 5-year period, from 2005 to 2010, the forcible
rate arrest rate fell 25%. The overall percentage changes in the arrest
rate from 1990 to 2010 were similar for juveniles (down 58%) and
adults (down 59%), as were the juvenile (down 29%) and adult
(down 24%) changes from 2005 to 2010 (figure 6). Consistent with
this pattern, the age-arrest curves show the proportional declines in
arrest rates between 1990 and 2010 across the age spectrum (figure
7). In 2010, the forcible rape arrest rate peaked at age 19.
In 2010, law enforcement agencies made an estimated 135,300
arrests for sex offenses other than forcible rape. This category
includes offenses ranging from violent sex assaults other than
forcible rape to prostitution and commercialized vice to indecent
exposure and statutory rape. About half (62,700) of these arrests
were arrests for prostitution and commercialized vice. Two-thirds
(69%) of prostitution and commercialized vice arrests in 2010 were
arrests of females, with a median age at arrest of 30 for females and
36 for males. Two percent of prostitution and commercialized vice
arrests in 2010 involved a juvenile, a proportion that has averaged
between 1% and 2% since at least 1990. In 2010, 30% of prostitution
and commercialized vice arrests involved persons age 40 or older
and 9% involved persons age 50 or older. In 2010, the arrest rate for
prostitution and commercialized vice peaked at age 22, with a peak
age of 20 for females and the late 20s for males.
From 1990 to 2010, the arrest rate for prostitution and
commercialized vice was cut in half (down 55%), with substantial
declines in both the male (down 62%) and female (down 50%)
arrest rates (figure 8). The recent period from 2005 to 2010 also
saw large declines in the male (down 35%) and female (down 27%)
arrest rates for prostitution and commercialized vice.

Figure 5

Forcible rape arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
20
15
10
5
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 6

Forcible rape arrest rates, by age group
Arrests/100,000
20
15
Juvenile*2

10

Adult

5
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 7

Forcible rape age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
50
40
30

2000

1990

20
10

2010

0
10

20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

Figure 8

Prostitution and commercialized vice arrest
rates, by sex
Arrests/100,000
60

40

Female
20

Male
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	4

P at terns & T rends
Robbery
The UCR defines robbery as taking or attempting to take anything
of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons,
by force, threat of force, violence, or by putting the victim in fear.
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
112,300 arrests for robbery in 2010. Females were 12% of these
arrests. The median age in robbery arrests in 2010 was 21. Twentyfour percent of robbery arrests in 2010 involved a juvenile, 11%
involved persons age 40 or older, and 3% involved persons age 50
or older.
The robbery arrest rate fell sharply (down 42%) from 1995 to
2000 and then remained relatively constant through 2010 (figure
9). Given that males were involved in a large majority of these
arrests, the trend in the male arrest rate followed a similar pattern,
declining 42% from 1995 to 2000 and stabilizing thereafter
(figure 10). In contrast, while the robbery arrest rate for females
declined 38% between 1995 and 2000 (similarly to the male rate),
it increased 19% between 2000 and 2010. As a result, between 1990
and 2010 the decline in the male arrest rate for robbery (down
49%) was greater than the decline in the female rate (down 19%).
The juvenile and adult arrest rates for robbery in 2010 were near
their lowest levels in a 20-year period (figure 11). Over the period
from 1990 to 2010, declines in the robbery arrest rates for juveniles
(down 41%) and adults (down 47%) were similar, as were the more
recent juvenile (down 7%) and adult (down 6%) declines between
2005 and 2010. The difference in these two trends occurred in the
1990s. While the adult arrest rate for robbery declined consistently
during the 1990s, the juvenile rate increased through the middle
of the decade before beginning a substantial decline; as a result,
between 1990 and 2000 both rates declined about 40%. The juvenile
arrest rates for the violent offenses of murder and aggravated
assault also peaked in the mid-1990s.
In 2010, the robbery arrest rate peaked at age 18 (figure 12). The
age-arrest curves show a substantial decline in arrest rates across all
ages from 1990 to 2000. The similarity in the 2000 and 2010 curves
reflect the stability in the robbery arrest rates over this period for all
age groups.

Figure 9

Robbery arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
80
60
40
20
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 10

Robbery arrest rates, by sex

Arrests/100,000
150
120
90

Male

60
Female*6

30
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 11

Robbery arrest rates, by age group

Arrests/100,000
100
80
60

Juvenile

40

Adult

20
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 12

Robbery age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
350
1990
300
250
200
150
100
2000
50
0
10

20

2010
30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	5

P at terns & T rends
Aggravated assault
The UCR defines aggravated assault as an unlawful attack by
one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe
or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault usually is
accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce
death or great bodily harm. It excludes simple assaults: crimes in
which no weapon is used or no serious or aggravated injury results
to the victim.
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
408,500 arrests for aggravated assault in 2010. Females were 23%
of these arrests. The median age in aggravated assault arrests was
29. Eleven percent of aggravated assault arrests in 2010 involved
a juvenile, 25% involved persons age 40 or older, and 9% involved
persons age 50 or older.
The aggravated assault arrest rate began to fall in the mid-1990s
(figure 13). From its peak in 1995 to 2010, the aggravated assault
arrest rate declined 38%. It declined 13% between 2005 and 2010.
In 2010, the male arrest rate for aggravated assault was at its lowest
level since at least 1990. This was not true for the female rate
(figure 14). The female arrest rate for aggravated assault increased
47% between 1990 and 1995. The female rate then gradually
declined after 1995, but in 2010 it was still 35% above its 1990 level.
Trends in the juvenile and adult arrest rates were very similar
between 1990 and 2010 (figure 15). Over this period, the adult
arrest rate fell 30% and the juvenile arrest rate fell 40%, both
reaching their lowest levels in at least two decades in 2010. In the
most recent 5-year period, the decline in the juvenile arrest rate for
aggravated assault (down 28%) was greater than the decline in the
adult arrest rate (down 11%).
The aggravated assault arrest rate peaked in 2010 at age 21, while
the peak was age 18 in 1990 (figure 16). In general, the decline
in the aggravated assault arrest rate between 1990 and 2010 was
greater for juveniles and younger adults than for older adults. In
fact, the aggravated assault arrest rates for persons age 40 or older
in 2010 were about the same as in 1990.

Figure 13

Aggravated assault arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
250
200
150
100
50
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 14

Aggravated assault arrest rates, by sex
Arrests/100,000
400
Male
300
200

Female*4

100
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 15

Aggravated assault arrest rates, by age group
Arrests/100,000
250
200

Adult

150

Juvenile*2

100
50
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 16

Aggravated assault age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
600
1990
400
2010

200
0
10

20

30

2000

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	6

P at terns & T rends
Simple assault
The UCR defines simple assault as an assault or attempted assault
that does not involve a weapon or no serious or aggravated injury
results to the victim. Stalking, intimidation, coercion, and hazing
are included in this category of offense.
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
1,292,500 arrests for simple assault in 2010. Females were 27%
of these arrests. The median age in simple assault arrests was 28.
Sixteen percent of simple assault arrests in 2010 involved a juvenile,
24% involved persons age 40 or older, and 8% involved persons
age 50 or older. In 2010, the FBI reported three arrests for simple
assault for every one arrest for aggravated assault; the ratio was
2-to-1 in 1990.
While the aggravated assault arrest rate fell 31% between 1990 and
2010, the simple assault arrest rate remained essentially unchanged
over the period (figure 17). There were large differences in the male
and female arrest rate trends. In 2010, the simple assault arrest
rate for females was at its highest level in at least two decades, up
75% since 1990. In contrast, in 2010, the male arrest rate was at its
lowest level in two decades, 12% below its 1990 level (figure 18).
Nearly all of the growth in the female arrest rate during this period
occurred between 1990 and 1997. From 1997 to 2010, the female
rate remained relatively constant.
While both the juvenile and adult arrest rate trends for aggravated
assault followed a similar pattern of decline between the mid-1990s
and 2010, the simple assault arrest rate trends differed for the two
age groups. Between 1990 and 1997, the increase in the juvenile
arrest rate (48%) was greater than the adult increase (22%)
(figure 19). After 1997, the adult arrest rate gradually declined, and
by 2010, it had returned to its 1990 level. In contrast, the juvenile
rate remained relatively constant from the mid-1990s through the
mid-2000s, then declined 17% between 2005 and 2010. Despite this
decline, the juvenile arrest rate for simple assault in 2010 was still
21% above its 1990 level.
In 2010, the simple assault arrest rate peaked at age 16, the youngest
peak age of a violent crime (figure 20). The simple assault agearrest curves show the changing age composition of adult arrests
between 1990 and 2010. Simple assault arrest declined for younger
adults between 1990 and 2010, which helped to dampen the
increase in the arrest rates for older adults age 35 or older. The agearrest curves for males and females separately show that from 1990
to 2010 the simple assault arrest rates for females increased across
all ages, while it increased for older adult males and declined for
young adult males (not shown).

Figure 17

Simple assault arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
600
400
200
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 18

Simple assault arrest rates, by sex

Arrests/100,000
1,000
800

Male

600
400

Female*3

200
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 19

Simple assault arrest rates, by age group
Arrests/100,000
800

Juvenile*2

600
Adult

400
200
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 20

Simple assault age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
1,200
1,000
800

2000

600
400
0

2010

1990

200
10

20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	7

P at terns & T rends
Burglary
The UCR defines burglary as the unlawful entry into a structure
(home, apartment, barn, church, factory, garage, or school) to
commit a felony or a theft. Thefts from automobiles or coinoperated machines (non-structures) and shoplifting from
commercial establishments (lawful entries) are classified as
larceny-thefts, not burglaries. A larceny-theft may be an element
of a burglary (a person enters a home and steals property), but an
arrest for such crimes is classified as a burglary using the UCR’s
hierarchy rule. (See the Methodology for an explanation of the
UCR’s hierarchy rule.)
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
289,800 arrests for burglary in 2010. Females were 15% of these
arrests. The median age in burglary arrests was 22. Twenty-three
percent of burglary arrests in 2010 involved a juvenile, 14%
involved persons age 40 or older, and 4% involved persons age 50
or older.
The burglary arrest rate fell 41% between 1990 and 2000 and
remained relatively constant through 2010 (figure 21). This decline
was seen in male but not female arrest rates (figure 22). While the
male arrest rate for burglary declined 44% between 1990 and 2000
and 12% between 2000 and 2010, the female arrest rate changed
very little over the entire period. The adult arrest rate also mirrored
the overall trend. Unlike the adult rate, the juvenile arrest rate for
burglary continued to decline after 2000, falling 33% between 2000
and 2010 (figure 23). In all, between 1990 and 2010, the adult arrest
rate for burglary fell 39% while the juvenile rate fell 61%.
The burglary arrest rate peaked at age 18 in 2010 (figure 24). The
age-arrest curves show the substantial declines between 1990 and
2000 in the burglary arrest rates for juveniles and younger adults
(i.e., persons under age 35) and the continuing decline between
2000 and 2010 for juveniles.

Figure 21

Burglary arrest rates

Arrests/100,000
200
150
100
50
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 22

Burglary arrest rates, by sex
Arrests/100,000
400
300
200

Males

100

Females*4

0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 23

Burglary arrest rates, by age group
Arrests/100,000
300
Juvenile
200
100

Adult

0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 24

Burglary age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
1,000
800

1990

600
400
200
0

2010
10

20

2000
30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	8

P at terns & T rends
Larceny-theft
The UCR defines larceny-theft as unlawfully taking, carrying,
leading, or riding away with property from the possession or
constructive possession of another. Larceny-theft includes
shoplifting, bicycle theft, theft of motor vehicle parts and
accessories, pocketpicking, or the stealing of any property or article
that is not taken by force and violence or by fraud. Embezzlement,
confidence games, forgery, check fraud, etc., are excluded. Motor
vehicle theft is also excluded from this arrest statistic.
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
1,271,400 arrests for larceny-theft in 2010. Females were 44% of
these arrests, a percentage much larger than in burglary (15%) and
motor vehicle theft (17%) but similar to the percentage of fraud
arrests (42%). (Fraud is a crime that involves a taking by deceit
and includes such acts as the misuse of a credit card or writing bad
checks.) The median age in larceny-theft arrests was 24. Twentytwo percent of larceny-theft arrests in 2010 involved a juvenile, 20%
involved persons age 40 or older, and 7% involved persons age 50
or older.
Similarly to the arrest rate trend for burglary, the larceny-theft
arrest rate declined between 1990 and 2000 (falling 34%),
fluctuated within a narrow range between 2000 and 2010, and
ended the decade at the same level as in 2000 (figure 25). The male
arrest rate likewise fell through the 1990s, dropping 38% between
1990 and 2000, and continued a much more gradual decline
between 2000 and 2010 (figure 26). As a result, the male arrest
rate for larceny-theft in 2010 was about half of its 1990 level. In
comparison, the female arrest rate for larceny-theft in 2010 was just
8% below its 1990 level. The female rate fell 25% between 1990 and
2000 and then remained constant for several years, but the growth
in the female arrest rate between 2005 and 2010 erased most of the
decline during the 1990s.
The declines in the juvenile (down 31%) and the adult (down 35%)
arrest rates for larceny-theft were similar between 1990 and 2000
(figure 27). However, between 2000 and 2010, while the juvenile
rate continued to decline (falling 25%), the adult rate increased
10%. Both the juvenile and adult arrest rates for larceny-theft
reached their lowest levels in the entire period during 2006. In
2010, while the adult arrest rate for larceny-theft was 18% above its
lowest point, the juvenile arrest rate was near its lowest level since
at least 1990.
In 2010, the larceny-theft arrest rate peaked at age 18 (figure 28).
The age-arrest curves show that the overall decline in the larcenytheft arrest rate between 1990 and 2010 was linked to large drops in
the arrest rates for juveniles and adults ages 25 to 40. Over this long
period, the larceny-theft arrest rates for persons ages 19 and 20 fell
relatively little.

Figure 25

Larceny-theft arrest rates

Arrests/100,000
800
600
400
200
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 26

Larceny-theft arrest rates, by sex

Arrests/100,000
1,000
800
600

Male

400
Female

200
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 27

Larceny-theft arrest rates, by age group
Arrests/100,000
800
600
Juvenile
400

Adult

200
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 28

Larceny-theft age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
3,000

1990
2,000
1,000
0

2000

2010
10

20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	9

P at terns & T rends
Motor vehicle theft
The UCR defines motor vehicle theft as the theft or attempted theft
of a motor vehicle. A motor vehicle is self-propelled and runs on a
land surface and not on rails. Motorboats, construction equipment,
airplanes, and farming equipment are specifically excluded from
this category. Thefts of these items would be larceny-thefts.
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated 71,500
arrests for motor vehicle theft in 2010. Females were 17% of these
arrests. The median age in motor vehicle theft arrests was 23.
Twenty-two percent of motor vehicle theft arrests in 2010 involved
a juvenile, 15% involved persons age 40 or older, and 4% involved
persons age 50 or older.
In 1990, there were 211,300 arrests for motor vehicle theft, almost
three times more than in 2010. The period between 1999 and 2005
saw relative stability in the motor vehicle theft arrest rate, while the
periods from 1990 to 1999 (down 40%) and 2005 to 2010 (down
54%) each had large declines (figure 29). As a result, the 2010
motor vehicle theft arrest rate was 73% below its 1990 level.
While the trend in the male arrest rate generally followed the
overall pattern, the trend in the female arrest rate for motor vehicle
theft showed little change between 1990 and 2005 (figure 30). Over
this period, while the male arrest rate was cut in half (down 47%),
the female arrest rate remained essentially unchanged (up just 6%).
Both the male and the female arrest rates were cut in half (both
falling 54%) between 2005 and 2010. As a result, the male arrest
rate for motor vehicle theft in 2010 was a fourth of its 1990 level,
and the female arrest rate was half of its 1990 value.
The juvenile proportion of motor vehicle theft arrests in the
U.S. was cut in half between 1990 (43%) and 2010 (22%).
Correspondingly, over this period, the motor vehicle theft arrest
rate declined more for juveniles (down 85%) than for adults (down
63%) (figure 31). While both arrest rates were cut by more than
half between 2005 and 2010, the period from 1990 to 2005 saw a
much greater decline in the juvenile (down 64%) than the adult
(down 24%) arrest rate for motor vehicle theft.
In 2010, the motor vehicle theft arrest rate peaked at age 18
(figure 32). The age-arrest curves show the steady decline in the
motor vehicle theft arrest rate across the entire age spectrum from
1990 to 2000 and then again from 2000 to 2010, with the largest
proportional declines in the juvenile arrest rates.

Figure 29

Motor vehicle theft arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
100
80
60
40
20
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 30

Motor vehicle theft arrest rates, by sex
Arrests/100,000
200
150
100
Male

50

Female*4
0

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 31

Motor vehicle theft arrest rates, by age
group

Arrests/100,000
150
120
90

Juvenile

60
Adult

30
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 32

Motor vehicle theft age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
800
1990

600
400

2000

200
0

2010
10

20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	10

P at terns & T rends
Weapon law violations
The UCR defines weapon law violations as violations of laws
or ordinances that prohibit the manufacture, sale, purchase,
transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting
instruments, explosives, incendiary devices, or other deadly
weapons. Attempts to violate these laws are included. The UCR’s
hierarchy rule classifies an arrest in this category only when the
weapon law violation is the most serious charge in the arrest.
Arrests for murder with a firearm, rape with a deadly weapon,
armed robbery, aggravated assault with a weapon, or carjacking
with a gun (even though these crimes involve a weapon) would
not be classified as weapon law violation arrests in the UCR arrest
statistics. (See the Methodology for more details about the UCR’s
hierarchy rule.)
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
159,000 arrests for weapon law violations in 2010. Females were
18% of these arrests. The median age in weapon law violation
arrests was 23. Twenty percent of weapon law violation arrests in
2010 involved a juvenile, 16% involved persons age 40 or older, and
6% involved persons age 50 or older.
In 1990, state and local law enforcement agencies made 221,200
arrests for weapon law violations, almost 40% more than in 2010. In
the last two decades, the arrest rate for weapon law violations peaked
in 1993 and fell through the remainder of the decade (figure 33). By
2000, the arrest rate had fallen over 40% from its 1993 high. Between
2000 and 2008, the arrest rate varied within a limited range before the
declines in 2009 and 2010 brought the arrest rate to its lowest level
since at least 1990. The arrest rate for weapon law violations declined
42% overall between 1990 and 2010.
The arrest rate trends for males and females paralleled each other
from 1990 to 2010, with overall declines in the male rate (down
43%) and the female rate (down 33%) (figure 34). The juvenile and
the adult arrest rates paralleled each other for most of this period,
from the mid-1990s onward. The trends differed between 1990 and
1994, when the juvenile rate increased nearly 50% and the adult
arrest rate changed very little. In 2010, the juvenile and the adult
arrest rates for weapon law violations were half of their peak levels
in mid-1990s.
The weapon law violation arrest rate peaked at age 18 in 2010
(figure 36). The age-arrest curves show large declines in the arrest
rates for weapon law violations across all ages from 1990 to 2000.
Between 2000 and 2010, the continuing declines were primarily
found in the arrests of persons under the age of 23.

Figure 33

Weapon law violation arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 34

Weapon law violation arrest rates, by sex

Arrests/100,000
200

150
Male
100
Female*10
50
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 35

Weapon law violation arrest rates, by age
group
Arrests/100,000
120
100
80
Adult

60
Juvenile

40
20
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 36

Weapon law violations age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
400
1990
300
2000

200

2010

100
0

10

20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	11

P at terns & T rends
Drug abuse violations
The UCR defines drug abuse violations as violations of laws that
prohibit the production, importation, distribution, possession, or
use of certain controlled substances (e.g., marijuana, opium, and
cocaine and their derivatives, and synthetic narcotics). The UCR
divides drug abuse violation arrests into two general categories: (1)
possession or use, and (2) sale or manufacture.
State and local law enforcement agencies made an estimated
1,336,500 arrests for drug possession or use in 2010. Females were
20% of these arrests. The median age in drug possession or use
arrests was 26. Eleven percent of drug possession or use arrests in
2010 involved a juvenile, 18% involved persons age 40 or older, and
6% involved persons age 50 or older.
There were 80% more arrests for drug possession or use in 2010
(1,336,530) than in 1990 (741,600). Between 1990 and its peak
in 2006, the arrest rate for drug possession or use increased 75%
(figure 37). The arrest rate declined between 2006 and 2010, ending
in 2010 at 46% above its 1990 level and at a level similar to those
seen between 1997 and 2002.
The male and female arrest rate trends for drug possession or use
were similar to the overall trend (figure 38). Between 1990 and
1997, the increases in the male (51%) and female (56%) arrest rates
were similar. Both arrest rates then remained relatively constant
through 2002, peaked in 2006, and declined through 2010. In 2010,
the arrest rate for drug possession or use had fallen 17% for males
and 16% for females from their 2006 peaks.
The juvenile and adult arrest rate trends differed over the period
from 1990 to 2010 (figure 39). While both arrest rates for drug
possession or use increased substantially between 1990 and 1997,
the increase in the juvenile rate (207%) was far greater than the
increase in the adult rate (41%). From its peak in 1997 through
2010, the juvenile arrest rate for drug possession or use gradually
declined, falling 20% in the period. Due to its substantial growth
in the 1990s, the juvenile arrest rate for drug possession or use in
2010 was 147% above its 1990 level. In contrast to the declining
juvenile trend, the adult arrest rate experienced a short period of
stability between 1997 and 2002 and then increased to a peak in
2006 before falling through 2010. In 2010, the adult arrest rate for
drug possession or use had returned to the levels of the late 1990s
and was 36% above its 1990 level.
In 2010, the drug possession or use arrest rate peaked at age
18 (figure 40). The age-arrest curves show that the increases
between 1990 and 2010 in the arrest rates for drug possession or
use occurred unevenly across the age spectrum, with the largest
percentage increases for persons under the age of 21 and above the
age of 40. Over the period, the arrest rates of persons ages 25 to 35
were relatively stable.

Figure 37

Drug possession/use arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 38

Drug possession/use arrest rates, by sex
Arrests/100,000
1,000
800

Male

600

Female*4

400
200
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 39

Drug possession/use arrest rates, by age group
Arrests/100,000
800
Adult

600
400

Juvenile*2

200
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 40

Drug possession/use age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
2,500
2000
2,000
1,500
2010

1,000
500
0

10

1990
20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	12

P at terns & T rends
In 2010, state and local law enforcement agencies made an
estimated 302,300 arrests for drug sale or manufacture, one such
arrest for every four arrests for drug possession or use. Eighteen
percent of these were arrests of females. The median age in drug
sale or manufacture arrests was 28. Eight percent of drug sale or
manufacture arrests in 2010 involved a juvenile, 19% involved
persons age 40 or older, and 7% involved persons age 50 or older.
In stark contrast to the substantial increase in arrests for drug
possession or use over the period, there were 13% fewer arrests for
drug sale or manufacture in 2010 than in 1990 (347,900). Although
there were fluctuations from year to year, over the period, the arrest
rate for drug sale or manufacture gradually declined. In 2010, the
arrest rate for drug sale or manufacture was at its lowest level in the
period, and 30% below its 1990 level (figure 41).
The male (down 32%) and the female (down 19%) arrest rates for
drug sale or manufacture declined between 1990 and 2010, both
falling to levels at or near their lowest of the period (figure 42).
In 2010, both the juvenile and adult arrest rates for drug sale or
manufacture were also at their lowest levels in at least 20 years
(figure 43).
In 2010, the drug sale or manufacture arrest rate peaked at age 19,
one year higher than the drug possession or use peak (figure 44).
The age-arrest curves show a general decline in the age-specific
arrest rates across the age spectrum between 1990 and 2010,
although the declines did not occur in the same time periods.
Between 1990 and 2000, the arrest rates of persons between age 25
and 35 fell to levels that would also be seen in 2010. In contrast, the
decline in the arrest rates of juveniles and very young adults did
not occur between 1990 and 2000 (in fact, for some ages there was
an increase), but happened between 2000 and 2010 after the arrest
rates of older adults had stabilized.

Figure 41

Drug sale/manufacturing arrest rates
Arrests/100,000
150
100
50
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 42

Drug sale/manufacturing arrest rates, by sex
Arrests/100,000
300
200

Male
Female*4

100
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 43

Drug sale/manufacturing arrest rates, by age
group
Arrests/100,000
200
150

Adult

100

Juvenile*3

50
0
1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

Figure 44

Drug sale/manufacturing age-arrest curves
Arrests/100,000
500

2000

400
300

1990

2010

200
100
0

10

20

30

40
Age

50

60

70

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	13

P at terns & T rends
Methodology
The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
Division of the FBI provided the Bureau of Justice
Statistics (BJS) with the set of annual Age, Sex, and
Race (ASR) Arrest Master Files for the years 1990
through 2010. Each of these annual files holds counts
of the reported arrests from each law enforcement
agency that submitted its arrest data for the complete
12-month period. The files also contain an estimate of the
population served by each agency. The FBI classifies law
enforcement agencies into nine population groups based
on the estimated annual population and the nature of the
community that the agency serves.
From 1990 to 2010, on average, 60% of law enforcement
agencies in the UCR annually reported complete
12-month arrest counts. These agencies served an average
of 77% of the U.S. resident population. The population
coverage was greater than the proportion of agencies
reporting because larger agencies reported at a higher
rate than smaller agencies. On average, over the period,
agencies annually reported 79% of all arrests estimated to
have occurred in the U.S. The estimation procedures used
in this bulletin were designed to develop the offense and
demographic attributes of the 21% of arrests that the FBI
estimated occurred in the nonreporting law enforcement
agencies. An assessment of the coverage of the annual
samples is in table 2.
In the first step of the estimation process, the annual
12-month arrest counts were summed for all law
enforcement agencies within each of the nine
population groups. Two tables were produced for each
population group with arrest counts at the most detailed
demographic levels supported by the data. These two
table shells were:
„„

Offense (in 33 offense categories) by age of arrestee (in 22
age groups) by sex (in two categories—male and female)

„„

Offense (using 33 offense categories) by age of arrestee
(in two age categories—juvenile and adult) and race
(in four race categories—white; black; American
Indian or Alaska Native; and Asian, Native Hawaiian
or Other Pacific Islander).

Next, the cells in these 18 tables (i.e., 2 shells for each of
9 strata) were each weighted by a factor equal to the total
population served by all law enforcement agencies in the
population group divided by the population served by
all reporting law enforcement agencies in the population
group. Then, the nine Offense by Age by Sex tables were
combined into one table, as were the nine Offense by Age by
Race tables. Finally, the cells in these two tables were each
multiplied by the ratio of the FBI’s annual national offensespecific arrest estimate divided by the sum of all cells in the

table with that offense. This transformed each of these table
cells into a national estimate for that cell’s demographic
subgroup. This process made all of the annual arrest count
estimates for the subgroups internally consistent with
the FBI’s published national estimates. Arrest rates were
calculated using national resident population estimates for
the various subgroups developed by the U.S. Census Bureau
and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Estimates of the U.S. resident population from
1990 through 1999 can be found at—National
Center for Health Statistics. Bridged-race intercensal
estimates of the July 1, 1990-July 1, 1999 United States
resident population by county, single-year of age (0, 1,
2, .., 85 years and over), sex, race, and Hispanic origin,
prepared by the U.S. Census Bureau with support from
the National Cancer Institute. Available from ftp://ftp.
cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/datasets/nvss/
bridgepop/icen_natA1.txt. Downloaded 3/15/2011.
Estimates of the U.S. resident population from 2000
through 2010 can be found at—National Center
for Health Statistics. Vintage Bridged-race postcensal
estimates of the July 1, 2000-July 1, 2009 United States
resident population by year, single-year of age (0, 1, 2,
.., 85 years and over), sex, bridged race, and Hispanic
origin. Prepared under a collaborative arrangement with
the U.S. Census Bureau. Available from: http://www.cdc.
gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm as of May, 31, 2012.
2012, following release by the U.S. Census Bureau of the
unbridged Vintage 2010 postcensal estimates by 5-year
age group on March 29, 2012.

UCR counting rules
Less than half of all victims of violent and property
crimes reported their crimes to law enforcement in 2010,
according to data from the National Crime Victimization
Survey. For crimes known to law enforcement, less than
half of violent crimes and less than a fifth of property
crimes were cleared by arrest. Therefore, the annual
number of arrests underestimates substantially the number
of crimes committed. In addition, arrest trends cannot be
assumed to parallel crime trends. Only if the many factors
that influence arrest rates (e.g., victim reporting rates,
crime clearance rates) were to remain constant over time,
could trends in arrests be used to infer trends in crime.
Finally, an annual arrest count should not be interpreted
as the number of persons arrested in the year. Arrests
could only be interpreted as a count of persons arrested
if every person arrested in the year were arrested only
once in the year—which is clearly untrue. In the end, the
most appropriate way to interpret arrest statistics is as
a measure of the flow of matters into law enforcement
agencies.

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	14

P at terns & T rends
Readers should be aware of some nuances of the counting
rules used by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting
Program (UCR) to interpret arrest statistics properly:
The hierarchy rule: The FBI requires law enforcement
agencies to apply an offense hierarchy rule when
reporting arrests. That is, if a person is arrested and
charged with multiple offenses (e.g., robbery and
possession of a weapon), the arrest is reported to the
UCR as a single arrest for the most serious charge (in
this case, robbery). As a result, more arrests are made
for most crimes (e.g., weapon law violations) than are
reflected in the UCR statistics.

A single arrest for multiple crimes: A single arrest
can cover many separate criminal acts. For example, a
person may be arrested once and charged with stealing
five automobiles over a period of several weeks. The UCR
arrest data would count one arrest for motor vehicle
theft.
Multiple arrests for a single crime: A single crime
can result in multiple arrests. If three people steal an
automobile and all are arrested, the UCR arrest statistics
would show three arrests for motor vehicle theft.

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	15

1
86%
84
92
97
91
88
78
83
82
82
79
81
82
76
76
81
83
89
88
87
85
84%

2
86%
84
97
92
93
92
82
83
79
80
82
85
84
84
80
82
83
80
83
84
83
85%

Total
66%
61
65
60
61
58
57
54
55
54
54
55
58
60
60
61
60
63
62
64
62
60%

1
86%
91
96
98
89
92
86
89
89
88
88
90
76
71
71
75
76
79
79
79
77
84%

Group 4—Cities from 25,000 through 49,999
Group 5—Cities from 10,000 through 24,999

9
51%
47
53
47
51
48
44
38
45
44
38
38
40
43
45
42
43
45
42
45
44
45%

Source: FBI , Age, Sex, and Race Summarized Yearly Arrest Master Files, 1990–2010.

bArrest estimates developed by the FBI and found in the Crime in the United States series.

aGroup 1—All cities 250,000 or over
Group 2—Cities from 100,000 through 249,999
Group 3—Cities from 50,000 through 99,999

Year
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Average

Proportion of agencies reporting
Population groupa
3
4
5
6
7
8
91% 88% 84% 78% 52% 56%
81
77
78 70
50
54
88
88
82 74
52
59
86
81
78 69
49
53
85
81
77 70
49
55
82
77
72 64
47
52
76
77
74 67
47
50
76
76
70 62
44
47
75
75
70 64
44
50
73
73
70 64
43
48
78
73
72 65
44
49
78
77
72 66
46
49
80
82
76 71
47
52
80
78
79 72
51
53
79
81
78 72
49
53
84
81
79 74
53
52
84
83
78 74
52
51
85
83
80 78
53
54
85
82
81 80
51
52
86
84
83 81
54
56
86
84
84 80
50
53
82% 80% 77% 71% 49% 52%

Table 2
Characteristics of annual reporting samples, 1990–2010

Group 6—Cities from 2,500 through 9,999
Group 7—Cities less than 2,500

Proportion of population covered by reporting agencies
Population groupa
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
86% 91% 88% 85% 79% 58% 71% 79%
83
81
77
78
71
55
66
69
97
89
88
83
76
56
72
84
93
86
82
78
71
52
69
82
93
85
81
77
71
52
68
78
93
82
77
73
66
49
65
78
81
75
76
75
69
51
65
67
83
76
76
71
64
48
62
64
78
75
75
71
65
46
62
63
79
74
73
70
65
46
62
63
83
78
73
72
66
47
63
63
85
78
77
72
67
49
68
69
85
81
82
77
73
51
70
75
85
79
79
79
73
54
72
74
81
79
82
78
74
51
72
75
83
84
81
79
76
56
76
75
83
84
83
78
75
54
71
71
80
86
84
80
79
57
75
71
83
85
82
81
81
57
74
74
84
86
84
82
82
61
79
77
82
86
84
84
82
56
81
78
85% 82% 80% 77% 73% 53% 70% 73%
Reported
arrests
11,729,600
11,097,120
12,372,325
11,917,352
11,960,839
12,060,749
11,417,585
11,599,171
11,244,670
10,661,714
10,704,365
10,762,319
10,452,203
10,324,531
10,542,956
10,910,547
10,906,252
11,128,552
11,098,859
11,062,559
10,607,998

Estimated
arrestsb
14,217,170
14,230,290
14,093,530
14,050,410
14,662,960
15,131,630
15,172,910
15,290,920
14,533,620
14,038,570
13,985,979
13,703,209
13,750,337
13,646,642
13,941,625
14,097,950
14,382,852
14,211,541
14,007,265
13,689,216
13,122,113
Group 8—Non-MSA counties
Group 9—MSA counties

Total
82%
76
85
83
80
79
74
73
72
72
73
76
76
75
75
77
76
78
79
80
80
77%

Percent
reported
83%
78
88
85
82
80
75
76
77
76
77
79
76
76
76
77
76
78
79
81
81
79%

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	16

All persons
Total
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
Forcible rape
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault
Property
Burglary
Larceny-theft
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Forgery and counterfeiting
Fraud
Embezzlement
Stolen property offenses
Vandalism
Drug
Drug abuse violations
Drug sale/manufacturing
Drug possession/use
Other
Weapon law violations
Prostitution and commercialized vice
Other sex offenses
Gambling
Offenses against family and children
Driving under the influence
Liquor laws
Drunkenness
Disorderly conduct
Vagrancy
Suspicion
Curfew and loitering law violations
All other offenses except traffic
Population

Table 3
Estimated arrests, by age, 2010
Age
under 18
1,642,646
1,012
2,870
27,185
44,823
210,244
65,204
281,064
15,760
4,561
1,687
5,767
441
14,641
77,066
170,574
23,801
146,771
31,364
1,042
12,969
1,353
3,782
12,026
94,713
12,701
155,936
2,137
133
94,797
296,794
74,532,418

Total
all ages
13,122,113
11,201
20,088
112,300
408,488
1,292,449
289,769
1,271,410
71,487
11,296
78,101
187,887
16,616
94,802
252,753
1,638,846
302,312
1,336,532
159,020
62,668
72,628
9,941
111,062
1,412,223
512,790
560,718
615,172
32,033
1,166
94,797
3,720,402
309,050,816

127,656
61,627
59,659
8,588
107,280
1,400,197
418,077
548,017
459,236
29,896
1,033
0
3,423,608
234,518,398

1,468,272
278,511
1,189,761

224,565
990,346
55,727
6,735
76,414
182,120
16,175
80,161
175,687

10,189
17,218
85,115
363,665
1,082,205

Age
18 and over
11,479,467

545
1
235
1
70
33
71
24
794
7
1
318
1,789
42,081,651

210
14
194

560
1,414
25
263
6
24
0
57
1,390

0
10
47
386
2,289

Age less
than 10
10,573

2,840
6
1,789
7
283
24
828
115
13,986
83
1
3,755
12,207
11,912,819

3,681
491
3,190

3,824
17,692
346
920
41
146
1
516
8,163

8
264
728
3,688
21,333

Age
10–12
97,275

7,079
110
4,252
146
875
161
8,394
1,423
42,864
514
31
19,441
55,428
8,003,034

26,028
3,640
22,388

13,474
60,686
2,798
1,482
163
777
23
2,641
20,391

86
678
4,316
9,948
56,457

13–14
340,665

5,511
142
2,220
209
702
429
14,074
2,098
31,877
511
18
20,756
58,390
4,110,383

29,830
3,954
25,876

12,526
54,356
3,477
773
221
861
25
2,966
14,575

154
498
5,391
8,141
40,508

15
311,242

6,943
267
2,241
397
903
2,753
26,622
2,989
34,187
601
40
27,450
76,586
4,160,539

45,246
6,221
39,025

15,907
68,671
4,393
577
388
1,494
101
3,855
16,262

308
655
7,759
10,570
45,543

16
403,707

102,289
14,033
88,256

22,143
83,358
4,872
474
2,150
4,405
740
6,367
15,341

709
974
9,853
14,502
41,526

18
601,871

105,811
16,245
89,566

19,579
72,033
4,060
388
3,058
6,068
1,021
5,868
13,357

744
1,032
8,867
15,503
42,773

19
641,342

8,446
9,659
9,490
516
1,841
2,501
2,232
2,954
2,731
593
654
671
950
1,902
2,175
8,626
25,689
38,178
44,724
84,561
95,156
6,052
15,002
17,310
32,228
27,091
24,471
421
1,505
1,456
41
61
56
23,076
0
0
92,394
121,248
146,984
4,263,992 4,356,677 4,448,864
Continued on next page

65,580
9,482
56,097

18,913
78,244
4,721
545
868
2,466
291
4,606
16,285

455
764
8,945
12,089
44,114

17
479,184

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	17

669
869
6,059
16,265
47,467
13,627
50,654
2,915
304
3,261
6,143
924
4,570
11,119
84,936
14,778
70,158

663
890
7,379
15,634
43,807
16,174
60,370
3,359
356
3,665
6,667
1,043
5,008
11,732
96,594
16,166
80,428

75,004
13,614
61,390

11,360
43,883
2,608
276
3,317
6,175
804
3,818
9,609

549
713
4,975
15,430
46,077

22
512,864

68,224
13,038
55,186

10,118
39,230
2,421
234
3,384
6,040
720
3,408
8,400

504
668
4,250
14,836
44,371

23
478,390

64,240
12,569
51,671

9,435
36,929
2,321
227
3,346
6,207
697
3,334
7,739

449
605
3,614
14,340
42,891

263,751
53,684
210,067

36,796
154,313
9,895
974
14,953
30,696
2,508
14,032
30,146

1,849
2,706
13,775
65,095
192,803

180,698
39,021
141,677

24,991
112,490
7,316
867
12,027
27,882
1,905
10,305
20,094

1,221
2,138
8,575
49,917
150,154

125,120
26,609
98,511

18,460
88,763
5,383
580
8,957
24,491
1,726
7,412
14,155

827
1,951
5,807
38,629
121,228

107,875
21,062
86,813

16,441
82,927
4,481
598
7,133
20,457
1,495
6,313
12,199

612
1,610
4,956
34,578
107,866

24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
457,141 1,947,718 1,438,602 1,118,232 1,017,916

93,104
17,434
75,671

13,277
73,145
3,304
635
5,586
16,320
1,090
4,924
10,161

533
1,298
3,786
30,239
92,634

45–49
920,336

59,539
11,335
48,204

7,629
48,267
1,719
383
3,219
10,489
784
2,833
6,192

379
838
1,973
19,886
58,141

50–54
619,716

26,871
5,410
21,462

2,889
24,221
691
223
1,435
5,505
416
1,202
2,903

236
429
835
9,895
27,566

55–59
312,889

9,971
2,297
7,674

1,093
11,124
234
127
586
2,658
212
448
1,336

121
262
289
4,914
12,539

60–64
140,597

4,246
1,218
3,028

553
8,640
148
87
335
1,916
91
317
1,203

124
233
123
4,000
10,360

65 or
older
98,085

8,137
7,590
7,032
6,318
5,893
23,659
15,112
9,938
7,865
6,835
4,835
2,682
1,435
1,177
2,831
2,698
2,728
2,377
2,331
10,004
8,091
7,586
7,093
5,904
3,156
1,343
606
537
2,382
2,406
2,095
1,853
1,642
7,719
6,876
6,205
6,148
5,689
4,320
2,775
1,794
2,070
611
486
392
379
315
1,159
791
606
666
507
587
309
217
239
2,429
2,956
3,075
3,346
3,547
19,307
19,301
16,401
13,574
9,882
5,544
2,332
881
630
44,872
65,003
64,702
63,449
61,710 258,087 183,005 144,717 132,679 127,355
92,096
52,409
27,307
18,941
79,475
13,550
9,485
7,126
6,143
22,991
16,983
15,110
17,491
19,436
15,810
8,708
3,850
2,203
17,436
25,885
23,030
20,945
19,675
83,525
62,247
52,992
57,833
64,077
48,125
24,869
9,897
5,167
23,692
27,898
24,232
21,094
19,672
73,751
51,262
40,034
37,931
38,108
26,505
13,112
5,911
4,472
1,221
990
863
775
722
3,157
2,561
2,589
3,281
4,144
3,506
1,943
745
438
77
64
51
60
49
191
124
117
68
53
31
17
10
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
156,686 161,273 150,580 143,860 139,068 609,878 461,670 358,445 323,745 288,310 192,928
97,072
42,030
29,831
4,546,545 4,400,677 4,349,611 4,320,383 4,356,303 21,749,462 20,232,021 19,999,950 20,778,715 22,472,643 21,964,995 19,368,636 16,634,848 40,538,068

21
560,580

Age
20
613,189

Note: Counts may not sum to total due to rounding. The offense categories are based on the FBI’s classification system. See Methodology for details on UCR counting rules.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates based upon FBI ‘s Age, Sex, and Race Summarized Yearly Arrest Master Files, 2010.

All persons
Total
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
Forcible rape
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault
Property
Burglary
Larceny-theft
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Forgery and counterfeiting
Fraud
Embezzlement
Stolen property offenses
Vandalism
Drug
Drug abuse violations
Drug sale/manufacturing
Drug possession/use
Other
Weapon law violations
Prostitution and commercialized vice
Other sex offenses
Gambling
Offenses against family and children
Driving under the influence
Liquor laws
Drunkenness
Disorderly conduct
Vagrancy
Suspicion
Curfew and loitering law violations
All other offenses except traffic
Population

Table 3 (continued)
Estimated arrests, by age, 2010

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	18

Male arrests
Total
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
Forcible rape
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault
Property
Burglary
Larceny-theft
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Forgery and counterfeiting
Fraud
Embezzlement
Stolen property offenses
Vandalism
Drug
Drug abuse violations
Drug sale/manufacturing
Drug possession/use
Other
Weapon law violations
Prostitution and commercialized vice
Other sex offenses
Gambling
Offenses against family and children
Driving under the influence
Liquor laws
Drunkenness
Disorderly conduct
Vagrancy
Suspicion
Curfew and loitering law violations
All other offenses except traffic
Population

Age
under 18
1,162,607
909
2,805
24,518
33,724
136,286
57,726
153,593
13,231
3,956
1,227
3,822
259
12,227
65,687
142,437
20,635
121,802
27,970
187
11,652
1,310
2,473
8,989
58,127
9,298
102,435
1,654
102
66,690
219,311
38,155,479

Total
all ages
9,792,192
9,975
19,862
98,597
316,459
944,968
245,768
717,768
58,982
9,347
48,784
109,737
8,230
76,230
204,863
1,324,863
249,051
1,075,812
145,598
19,478
67,022
9,009
83,251
1,078,072
366,851
463,239
444,836
25,681
890
66,690
2,827,139
152,712,500

Table 4
Estimated male arrests, by age, 2010

117,629
19,291
55,370
7,699
80,778
1,069,083
308,724
453,941
342,400
24,027
788
0
2,607,828
114,557,021

1,182,426
228,416
954,010

188,043
564,174
45,751
5,391
47,557
105,915
7,971
64,003
139,176

9,066
17,057
74,079
282,735
808,682

Age
18 and over
8,629,585

494
1
203
1
53
21
51
22
655
7
1
255
1,352
21,507,781

175
11
164

472
1,021
22
247
5
20
0
51
1,247

0
9
41
345
1,881

Age less
than 10
8,654

2,477
6
1,627
7
191
16
407
83
9,481
55
1
2,606
8,906
6,098,058

2,972
395
2,576

3,334
10,143
295
808
34
87
1
432
6,837

6
252
654
2,854
14,864

Age
10–12
69,434

6,178
20
3,800
145
553
106
4,236
875
26,346
382
17
13,037
38,655
4,096,053

20,421
2,932
17,489

11,816
33,407
2,275
1,249
120
468
16
2,130
17,206

71
656
3,846
7,185
35,260

13–14
230,477

4,870
25
1,980
202
452
332
7,744
1,401
20,258
385
18
14,310
41,916
2,110,201

24,601
3,405
21,196

11,001
29,440
2,857
663
172
571
14
2,403
12,544

134
481
4,805
5,975
25,345

15
214,898

6,218
45
1,994
381
563
2,013
16,287
2,208
23,031
476
34
19,488
57,096
2,141,104

38,309
5,507
32,801

14,153
37,157
3,671
497
297
1,030
65
3,255
13,931

284
645
7,057
7,928
29,261

16
287,372

7,732
90
2,049
575
662
6,500
29,401
4,710
22,665
350
31
16,995
71,386
2,202,282

55,959
8,384
47,576

16,949
42,426
4,110
493
599
1,647
162
3,956
13,922

414
761
8,115
9,437
29,675

17
351,772

88,909
13,938
74,971

17,144
40,277
3,470
347
1,946
3,772
526
4,872
10,873

683
1,026
7,889
12,052
29,587

19
479,072

9,073
8,915
244
357
2,698
2,523
636
655
1,349
1,458
19,386
28,802
57,021
65,971
11,854
13,836
19,903
17,932
1,133
1,102
40
46
0
0
95,945 114,101
2,251,803 2,306,388
Continued on next page

87,084
12,201
74,883

19,735
46,489
4,231
417
1,355
2,934
408
5,436
12,953

666
970
8,904
11,494
28,825

18
451,183

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	19

20,261
62,566
5,857
693
7,275
15,284
916
7,993
15,712
143,992
32,063
111,929

30,219
84,870
7,915
764
9,017
17,302
1,229
10,803
23,646
212,041
44,215
167,826

96,699
21,293
75,406

14,764
50,475
4,346
416
5,435
13,204
782
5,781
10,863

720
1,920
4,881
29,610
91,240

35–39
823,365

81,833
16,317
65,516

13,501
50,017
3,620
439
4,461
11,715
668
5,105
9,314

521
1,598
4,209
26,441
81,515

40–44
755,048

71,170
13,361
57,809

10,978
45,638
2,734
475
3,670
9,818
515
3,976
7,789

447
1,289
3,280
23,401
71,159

45–49
697,607

47,452
8,935
38,517

6,416
30,095
1,494
288
2,210
6,620
348
2,364
4,999

322
831
1,735
16,025
45,561

50–54
487,373

22,549
4,490
18,059

2,430
14,882
615
174
1,014
3,535
233
1,045
2,326

213
426
726
8,192
22,189

55–59
254,302

8,638
1,934
6,704

924
6,333
206
102
444
1,677
116
368
1,055

106
262
250
4,214
10,245

60–64
115,318

3,659
1,024
2,635

437
4,947
136
76
266
1,220
55
264
995

110
231
108
3,420
8,577

65 years
or older
80,110

21,785
13,814
9,006
7,062
6,143
4,448
2,473
1,336
1,112
3,110
2,864
2,502
2,272
1,975
1,374
849
502
494
7,045
6,295
5,721
5,695
5,318
4,126
2,703
1,765
2,043
1,062
712
506
550
414
473
245
181
188
13,496
14,572
12,783
10,905
8,164
4,683
1,947
713
511
197,732 142,109 110,775
99,237
95,051
71,162
42,168
22,668
16,100
18,365
13,568
11,899
13,930
15,887
13,565
7,692
3,409
1,896
69,078
51,371
43,151
46,726
52,742
41,114
22,212
9,001
4,761
54,530
37,765
28,854
27,502
28,620
21,107
10,774
4,937
3,624
2,488
2,011
1,985
2,557
3,427
3,031
1,725
687
377
141
99
89
50
39
22
16
8
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
456,084 343,538 264,958 243,607 223,490 155,508
80,947
35,169
24,499
11,197,351 10,244,100 10,051,929 10,373,533 11,096,497 10,768,185 9,387,752 7,983,294 17,486,347

1,061
2,113
7,259
38,663
114,096

1,645
2,679
11,760
50,625
144,485

25–29
30–34
1,453,916 1,072,462

Note: Counts may not sum to total due to rounding. The offense categories are based on the FBI’s classification system. See Methodology for details on UCR counting rules.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates based upon FBI’s Age, Sex, and Race Summarized Yearly Arrest Master Files, 2010.

Age
Male arrests
20
21
22
23
24
Total
456,733 420,611 383,684 357,502 341,299
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
604
624
498
446
400
Forcible rape
884
864
705
658
600
Robbery
6,562
5,313
4,350
3,715
3,139
Aggravated assault
11,977
12,385
11,763
11,377
11,096
Simple assault
30,509
33,770
33,165
32,132
31,627
Property
Burglary
13,859
11,461
9,527
8,485
7,901
Larceny-theft
33,354
28,101
24,078
21,728
20,322
Motor vehicle theft
2,799
2,406
2,139
1,919
1,865
Arson
318
261
234
202
184
Forgery and counterfeiting
2,197
2,037
2,031
2,112
2,088
Fraud
4,131
3,775
3,677
3,611
3,638
Embezzlement
564
479
435
336
360
Stolen property offenses
4,057
3,663
3,000
2,665
2,611
Vandalism
9,463
8,873
7,737
6,542
6,036
Drug
Drug abuse violations
79,801
69,887
61,295
55,539
51,878
Drug sale/manufacturing
13,763
12,450
11,303
10,802
10,327
Drug possession/use
66,037
57,436
49,992
44,737
41,551
Other
Weapon law violations
7,610
7,064
6,505
5,858
5,426
Prostitution and commercialized vice
508
505
573
582
581
Other sex offenses
2,179
2,182
1,902
1,692
1,481
Gambling
577
455
380
365
300
Offenses against family and children
1,583
1,937
2,066
2,189
2,421
Driving under the influence
34,012
47,856
48,046
47,458
46,520
Liquor laws
56,785
10,601
7,553
5,739
4,842
Drunkenness
14,170
21,140
19,044
17,325
16,416
Disorderly conduct
17,291
20,871
18,178
15,739
14,773
Vagrancy
875
797
659
606
566
Suspicion
58
49
39
51
37
Curfew and loitering law violations
0
0
0
0
0
All other offenses except traffic
120,004 123,253 114,106 108,429 104,191
Population
2,361,299 2,285,788 2,258,300 2,242,303 2,262,152

Table 4 (continued)
Estimated male arrests, by age, 2010

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	20

Total
Female arrests
all ages
Total
3,329,921
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
1,226
Forcible rape
226
Robbery
13,703
Aggravated assault
92,029
Simple assault
347,481
Property
Burglary
44,001
Larceny-theft
553,642
Motor vehicle theft
12,505
Arson
1,949
Forgery and counterfeiting
29,317
Fraud
78,150
Embezzlement
8,386
Stolen property offenses
18,572
Vandalism
47,890
Drug
Drug abuse violations
313,983
Drug sale/manufacturing
53,261
Drug possession/use
260,720
Other
Weapon law violations
13,422
Prostitution and commercialized vice
43,190
Other sex offenses
5,606
Gambling
932
Offenses against family and children
27,811
Driving under the influence
334,151
Liquor laws
145,939
Drunkenness
97,479
Disorderly conduct
170,336
Vagrancy
6,352
Suspicion
276
Curfew and loitering law violations
28,107
All other offenses except traffice
893,263
Population
156,338,316

Table 5
Estimated female arrests, by age, 2010

34
2
30
51
0
32
0
16
12
20
2
139
0
0
63
438
20,573,870

285,846
50,095
235,751

28,137
3,166
24,968
3,394
10,028
855
42,335
1,317
4,289
43
889
1,309
26,502
3,037
331,114
36,586
109,354
3,403
94,076
53,501
116,835
482
5,869
31
245
28,107
0
77,483
815,780
36,376,939 119,961,377

88
393
3
16
1
5
0
6
143

36,523
426,172
9,976
1,344
28,856
76,204
8,204
16,158
36,510

7,478
127,470
2,529
604
461
1,946
182
2,414
11,380

0
1
6
42
408

1,123
161
11,035
80,930
273,523

Age less
than 10
1,919

103
65
2,667
11,099
73,958

Age
Age
under 18 18 and over
480,039
2,849,883

363
0
162
0
92
7
421
32
4,505
29
0
1,150
3,300
5,814,761

709
95
614

490
7,549
51
112
7
59
0
84
1,327

2
12
74
835
6,469

Age
10–12
27,841

900
90
452
1
322
54
4,157
549
16,518
132
14
6,405
16,773
3,906,981

5,607
707
4,899

1,658
27,279
523
233
43
309
6
511
3,184

15
21
470
2,763
21,197

13–14
110,188

641
117
240
8
251
97
6,330
697
11,619
126
0
6,446
16,474
2,000,182

5,229
549
4,680

1,526
24,916
620
111
49
289
11
564
2,031

20
17
586
2,166
15,163

15
96,343

725
222
246
15
340
740
10,335
781
11,156
125
7
7,962
19,490
2,019,435

6,937
713
6,224

1,753
31,514
721
80
91
464
36
600
2,331

24
11
702
2,642
16,283

16
116,335

714
426
183
19
288
2,126
15,323
1,342
9,563
71
10
6,082
21,008
2,061,710

9,620
1,099
8,521

1,963
35,819
611
52
269
819
129
650
2,363

41
2
829
2,651
14,439

17
127,412

16,902
2,307
14,594

2,435
31,755
590
40
1,112
2,296
495
996
2,484

62
6
977
3,452
13,186

19
162,270

586
576
1,597
2,145
256
208
18
16
553
717
6,303
9,376
27,540
29,185
3,149
3,475
7,187
6,539
372
354
22
9
0
0
25,303
32,883
2,104,874
2,142,476
Continued on next page

15,204
1,832
13,373

2,408
36,868
642
57
795
1,471
332
931
2,388

43
5
949
3,008
12,701

18
150,688

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	21

Note: Counts may not sum to total due to rounding. The offense categories are based on the FBI’s classification system. See Methodology for details on UCR counting rules.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates based upon FBI ‘s Age, Sex, and Race Summarized Yearly Arrest Master Files, 2010.

Age
65 or
Female arrests
20
21
22
23
24
25–29
30–34
35–39
40–44
45–49
50–54
55–59
60–64
older
Total
156,456 139,969 129,180 120,888 115,842 493,802 366,140 294,867 262,868 222,729 132,342
58,587
25,279
17,975
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
59
46
51
58
49
203
159
107
91
86
57
23
15
14
Forcible rape
6
5
8
10
5
27
25
31
12
9
7
2
0
2
Robbery
817
746
624
535
475
2,015
1,316
926
747
506
238
109
39
15
Aggravated assault
3,657
3,880
3,667
3,460
3,244
14,470
11,254
9,019
8,137
6,838
3,861
1,703
700
581
Simple assault
13,298
13,697
12,912
12,240
11,264
48,318
36,058
29,987
26,351
21,476
12,580
5,377
2,294
1,783
Property
Burglary
2,315
2,166
1,832
1,633
1,533
6,576
4,730
3,697
2,940
2,299
1,213
459
169
116
Larceny-theft
27,015
22,552
19,805
17,502
16,607
69,443
49,924
38,288
32,911
27,506
18,172
9,339
4,791
3,694
Motor vehicle theft
560
510
469
502
457
1,980
1,459
1,037
861
569
225
76
29
12
Arson
38
43
42
33
43
210
174
164
159
160
95
49
25
11
Forgery and counterfeiting
1,468
1,223
1,286
1,272
1,259
5,936
4,752
3,523
2,672
1,916
1,009
420
142
69
Fraud
2,536
2,368
2,498
2,429
2,569
13,394
12,599
11,287
8,741
6,502
3,869
1,970
981
695
Embezzlement
479
445
369
384
337
1,279
988
944
827
574
436
183
96
36
Stolen property offenses
951
907
818
743
724
3,228
2,312
1,631
1,209
948
469
157
80
53
Vandalism
2,269
2,246
1,872
1,858
1,703
6,500
4,382
3,292
2,885
2,373
1,194
576
281
207
Drug
Drug abuse violations
16,794
15,049
13,709
12,686
12,362
51,709
36,706
28,421
26,042
21,934
12,087
4,322
1,333
587
Drug sale/manufacturing
2,403
2,328
2,311
2,236
2,242
9,469
6,958
5,316
4,744
4,073
2,400
920
363
194
Drug possession/use
14,391
12,722
11,398
10,450
10,121
42,241
29,748
23,105
21,298
17,861
9,687
3,403
970
393
Other
Weapon law violations
527
526
527
460
467
1,874
1,297
932
803
692
387
209
99
66
Prostitution and commercialized vice
2,322
2,193
2,155
1,795
1,750
6,894
5,227
5,085
4,821
3,929
1,782
494
104
43
Other sex offenses
203
224
194
160
161
674
581
484
453
371
194
71
28
26
Gambling
34
31
11
14
15
97
79
100
116
93
115
64
36
51
Offenses against family and children
846
1,019
1,009
1,156
1,125
5,811
4,728
3,619
2,669
1,719
861
385
167
119
Driving under the influence
10,860
17,147
16,656
15,990
15,190
60,355
40,895
33,942
33,442
32,304
20,934
10,241
4,639
2,841
Liquor laws
22,690
2,949
1,933
1,386
1,301
4,627
3,415
3,211
3,562
3,549
2,244
1,016
441
307
Drunkenness
3,265
4,745
3,986
3,620
3,259
14,447
10,876
9,841
11,108
11,335
7,011
2,657
896
406
Disorderly conduct
6,401
7,027
6,055
5,355
4,899
19,221
13,497
11,180
10,429
9,487
5,398
2,339
975
847
Vagrancy
346
193
204
168
156
668
549
604
724
717
476
218
58
61
Suspicion
19
15
12
9
12
51
25
28
18
14
9
1
1
0
Curfew and loitering law violations
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
All other offenses except traffic
36,682
38,020
36,474
35,431
34,877 153,794 118,132
93,488
80,138
64,820
37,419
16,125
6,861
5,332
Population
2,185,246 2,114,889 2,091,311 2,078,080 2,094,151 10,552,111 9,987,921 9,948,021 10,405,182 11,376,146 11,196,810 9,980,884 8,651,554 23,051,721

Table 5 (continued)
Estimated female arrests, by age, 2010

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	22

White
9,122,011

Race
Black
3,655,619

AIANa
186,116

APIb
158,367

1,830
219
1,612
227
11
94
4
99
204
2,967
283
1,642
6
0
1,007
3,335
1,100,943

23,749
90,117
6,662
1,006
523
2,262
152
6,156
15,171
40,626
7,882
32,696

40,230
181,694
8,662
3,438
1,127
3,376
276
8,220
60,082
126,149
15,466
110,727

19,441
11,303
393
621
9,297
3,392
110
1,229
2,726
931
10,956
684
83,745
6,628
11,246
1,077
90,018
63,053
1,614
501
90
42
56,190
36,304
205,554
82,586
57,469,239 12,030,818

515
3,669
219
50
10
63
4
103
958

5
28
127
530
2,210

565
1,023
18,253
18,547
79,786

435
1,800
8,493
25,266
125,852

AIANa
20,202

Juvenile
Black
512,948

White
1,086,479

392
16
186
10
26
182
1,373
94
1,223
15
1
1,296
5,319
3,931,418

1,968
234
1,736

710
5,583
217
67
28
68
9
163
855

8
19
312
480
2,396

APIb
23,017

479,200
108,950
370,244

64,993
268,966
17,535
1,517
24,372
58,926
5,005
25,090
44,014

4,863
5,282
43,762
117,851
326,705

73,188
52,403
33,598
25,970
44,195
13,741
2,751
5,423
71,539
33,102
1,199,034 161,480
341,248
56,304
450,092
83,841
300,390 145,705
16,287
12,693
655
365
0
0
2,265,123 1,063,562
190,653,095 29,452,251

967,760
165,908
801,856

155,552
693,927
36,677
5,081
50,734
120,043
10,743
53,640
126,485

5,110
11,410
39,822
235,505
724,946

9,413
1,520
7,894

1,983
14,463
672
76
433
1,493
109
657
3,253

118
266
658
5,571
17,045

AIANa
165,914

11,900
2,132
9,768

2,036
12,990
843
61
876
1,658
318
773
1,934

99
261
872
4,738
13,509

APIb
135,349

871
1,194
423
1,635
860
864
37
377
1,903
736
18,105
21,579
14,820
5,706
10,532
3,552
9,185
3,955
717
200
6
6
0
0
52,246
42,677
2,467,739 11,945,313

Adult
White
Black
8,035,532 3,142,671

Note: Counts may not sum to total due to rounding. The offense categories are based on the FBI’s classification system. See Methodology for details on UCR counting rules.
aAmerican Indian or Alaska Native.
bAsian, Native Hawaiian, or other Pacific Islander.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates based upon FBI ‘s Age, Sex, and Race Summarized Yearly Arrest Master Files, 2010.

Total
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
11,201
5,544
5,427
123
106
Forcible rape
20,088
13,210
6,305
293
280
Robbery
112,300
48,315
62,015
785
1,185
Aggravated assault
408,488
260,770
136,398
6,102
5,218
Simple assault
1,292,449
850,797
406,491
19,255
15,905
Property
Burglary
289,769
195,782
88,742
2,499
2,746
Larceny-theft
1,271,410
875,621
359,084
18,132
18,573
Motor vehicle theft
71,487
45,339
24,197
891
1,060
Arson
11,296
8,519
2,523
126
127
Forgery and counterfeiting
78,101
51,861
24,894
443
903
Fraud
187,887
123,418
61,188
1,555
1,726
Embezzlement
16,616
11,019
5,157
113
327
Stolen property offenses
94,802
61,860
31,246
760
936
Vandalism
252,753
186,567
59,185
4,211
2,790
Drug
Drug abuse violations
1,638,846 1,093,909
519,826
11,244
13,868
Drug sale/manufacturing
302,312
181,374
116,833
1,739
2,366
Drug possession/use
1,336,532
912,582
402,940
9,506
11,504
Other
Weapon law violations
159,020
92,629
63,706
1,098
1,587
Prostitution and commercialized vice
62,668
33,991
26,592
434
1,651
Other sex offenses
72,628
53,491
17,133
954
1,050
Gambling
9,941
2,861
6,652
41
387
Offenses against family and children
111,062
74,265
34,033
2,002
762
Driving under the influence
1,412,223 1,209,990
162,164
18,309
21,761
Liquor laws
512,790
424,993
62,932
17,787
7,079
Drunkenness
560,718
461,338
84,918
10,815
3,646
Disorderly conduct
615,172
390,409
208,758
10,827
5,178
Vagrancy
32,033
17,901
13,194
723
214
Suspicion
1,166
745
407
6
8
Curfew and loitering law violations
94,797
56,190
36,304
1,007
1,296
All other offenses except traffic
3,720,402 2,470,677 1,146,147
55,582
47,996
Population
309,050,816 248,122,334 41,483,069 3,568,682 15,876,731

Total
13,122,113

Table 6
Estimated arrests, by race and age group, 2010

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	23

Total
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
Forcible rape
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault
Property
Burglary
Larceny-theft
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Forgery and counterfeiting
Fraud
Embezzlement
Stolen property offenses
Vandalism
Drug
Drug abuse violations
Drug sale/manufacturing
Drug possession/use
Other
Weapon law violations
Prostitution and commercialized vice
Other sex offenses
Gambling
Offenses against family and children
Driving under the influence
Liquor laws
Drunkenness
Disorderly conduct
Vagrancy
Suspicion
Curfew and loitering law violations
All other offenses except traffic
-23%
-33
-3
-22
-10
-9%
0
-56
-38
-34
-50
-20
-27
-18
-5%
-16
-3
-9%
-35
-29
-16
-31
-12
-31
-20
-12
-10
-81
-44
-8%

-61%
-59
-46
-31
3
-46%
-34
-73
-52
-33
-48
-12
-54
-37
21%
-30
46
-42%
-55
-45
-58
5
-37
-42
-50
-32
-33
-96
-5
-8%

-21%
-29
-24
-15
-18
-2
-18
-4
-13
-8
-70
-36
-8%

-15%
-16
-15

-7%
6
-54
-34
-37
-44
-16
-32
-14

-24%
-25
-6
-13
-5

-5%
-13
-7
-5
-4
-3
-11
-6
-7
-5
-41
-16
-2%

-2%
-3
-2

-4%
-5
-13
-8
-10
-11
-8
-11
-7

-10%
-7
-12
-4
-3

Total
1990–2010 2000–2010 2005–2010 2009–2010
-25%
-14%
-11%
-5%

Table 7
Percent change in arrest rates, by age group and sex, 1990–2010

-43%
-62
-46
-57
-6
-46
-50
-55
-40
-39
-96
-10
-17%

16%
-32
40

-50%
-46
-75
-55
-38
-46
-28
-58
-44

-61%
-59
-49
-39
-12

-10%
-47
-30
-14
-35
-21
-39
-24
-18
-9
-82
-43
-14%

-8%
-18
-5

-12%
-13
-57
-40
-35
-49
-22
-30
-22

-23%
-34
-6
-25
-15

-22%
-35
-24
-16
-19
-7
-21
-6
-15
-6
-74
-35
-10%

-15%
-16
-15

-8%
-3
-54
-35
-35
-40
-17
-33
-16

-24%
-25
-8
-15
-8

-6%
-11
-6
-3
-4
-4
-11
-7
-8
-3
-38
-15
-2%

-3%
-4
-3

-4%
-6
-13
-8
-10
-9
-7
-9
-8

-11%
-7
-13
-5
-4

Male
1990–2010 2000–2010 2005–2010 2009–2010
-33%
-19%
-13%
-5%

-33%
-50
-42
-71
51
18
-11
-13
-1
7
-93
5
34%

42%
-19
67

-3%
-8
-51
-37
-26
-51
11
-23
12

-58%
-58
-19
18
75

-7%
-27
-19
-36
-20
28
-4
5
7
-17
-77
-47
13%

6%
-5
9

8%
22
-50
-28
-33
-52
-18
-16
1

-23%
-36
19
-12
6

0%
-1
1

-2%
-5
-14
-7
-10
-15
-9
-16
-3

-7%
-23
-9
-1
1

-18%
-1%
-27
-14
-29
-19
-11
-23
-15
-4
22
2
-11
-11
9
-2
-7
-4
-16
-12
-51
-50
-37
-19
-3%
-1%
Continued on next page

-15%
-14
-15

-1%
21
-54
-31
-41
-49
-15
-32
-4

-24%
-41
4
-5
4

Female
1990–2010 2000–2010 2005–2010 2009–2010
5%
2%
-5%
-4%

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	24

-16%
-37
-4
-34
-13
-33%
-25
-70
-48
-74
-65
-77
-46
-34
-16%
-35
-12
-17%
-28
-28
23
-58
-45
-29
-44
-6
-42
-90
-40
-26%

-72%
-58
-41
-40
21
-61%
-48
-85
-52
-83
-48
-69
-70
-50
81%
-32
147
-32%
-43
-35
20
-3
-49
-48
-55
12
-43
-97
1
-19%

-31%
-36
-24
-34
-33
-34
-25
-21
-25
-45
-76
-33
-20%

-12%
-25
-10

-17%
-5
-59
-43
-60
-27
-62
-35
-27

-20%
-29
-7
-28
-17

-7%
-23
-4
-24
-15
-11
-14
-8
-8
-22
-40
-16
-8

0%
-5
1

-13%
-12
-21
-15
-21
-6
-27
-22
-15

-14%
-8
-14
-10
-4

-44%
-56
-48
-63
3
-38
-41
-51
-41
-33
-95
~
-8%

15%
-31
36

-39%
-28
-63
-51
-30
-49
-9
-48
-28

-59%
-59
-47
-30
-1

-7%
-36
-30
-21
-31
-14
-32
-20
-14
-8
-79
~
-8%

-5%
-15
-2

3%
10
-49
-25
-33
-51
-15
-22
-6

-24%
-33
-3
-21
-10

-19%
-30
-24
-11
-18
-2
-16
-4
-8
-4
-70
~
-7%

-16%
-16
-16

-4%
10
-52
-24
-37
-45
-14
-32
-5

-25%
-24
-6
-11
-3

-5%
-13
-8
-1
-4
-3
-10
-7
-6
-3
-42
~
-2%

-3%
-3
-2

-1%
-4
-11
-3
-10
-12
-8
-8
-3

-10%
-7
-11
-3
-3

Adult
1990–2010 2000–2010 2005–2010 2009–2010
-24%
-12%
-9%
-4%

~ Not applicable.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates based upon FBI’s Age, Sex, and Race Summarized Yearly Arrest Master Files, 1990–2010.

Total
Violent
Murder and non-negligent manslaughter
Forcible rape
Robbery
Aggravated assault
Simple assault
Property
Burglary
Larceny-theft
Motor vehicle theft
Arson
Forgery and counterfeiting
Fraud
Embezzlement
Stolen property offenses
Vandalism
Drug
Drug abuse violations
Drug sale/manufacturing
Drug possession/use
Other
Weapon law violations
Prostitution and commercialized vice
Other sex offenses
Gambling
Offenses against family and children
Driving under the influence
Liquor laws
Drunkenness
Disorderly conduct
Vagrancy
Suspicion
Curfew and loitering law violations
All other offenses except traffic

Juvenile
1990–2010 2000–2010 2005–2010 2009–2010
-36%
-31%
-24%
-14%

Table 7 (continued)
Percent change in arrest rates, by age group and sex, 1990–2010

P at terns & T rends

A r r e s t i n t h e U n i t e d S tat e s , 1990 – 2010 | O c to b e r 2012 	25

The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S. Department
of Justice. James P. Lynch is the director.
This report was written by Howard Snyder. Alexia Cooper provided statistical
review and verification of the report.
Vanessa Curto and Jill Thomas edited the report, and Barbara Quinn and Tina
Dorsey produced the report under the supervision of Doris J. James.
October 2012, NCJ 239423

NCJ239423
Office of Justice Programs
Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods
www.ojp.usdoj.gov