Ace the GPSTC Juvenile Law Test 2026 – Unlock Your Legal Mastery!

A score of 12 or more on the Detention Assessment Instrument (DAI) is significant in the juvenile justice system as it typically indicates a higher risk level for the child. The DAI is used to evaluate the appropriateness of detaining a youth, taking into account various risk factors, such as the severity of the offense, prior delinquent behavior, and community ties. A score of 12 or more suggests that the youth may pose a danger to themselves or others, or that there is a risk of flight. Therefore, based on these risk assessments, children receiving such a score are often automatically taken into custody to ensure their safety and the safety of the community. This threshold is established to streamline the decision-making process regarding detention, allowing law enforcement and juvenile justice officials to act swiftly in situations deemed high-risk based on the instrument's metrics.