There are a variety of definitions involved in this project, and the variation depends upon the discipline using the term. There are, however, no definitions provided for by any state or federal legislation. It is left to judges or correctional agencies to determine when a child is low-risk.
Some states use structured sentencing, most of which is based upon criminal history.
For example, a juvenile who has committed less than two misdemeanors would be low-risk and could be sentenced to an immediate intervention. Some states, like Indiana, are beginning to use risk-focused classification instruments to assist in placement decisions. Other states, like Kansas, rely upon dispositional reports provided only if the process reaches the final stages. Since judges sentence to specific programs, they need to know the true risk level of each child, which includes more than criminal history, in order to make educated sensible placement decisions.