Performance Measures

Clearance Rates

What it is: The clearance rate is the number of disposed cases as a percentage of the number of filed cases in a given time period. In juvenile courts, the clearance rate is the number of adjudicated referrals as a percentage of the number of initiated referrals in a given time period.

How it is measured: A clearance rate of 100% means the court has disposed of as many cases as were filed in the time period represented. A clearance rate under 100% means the court has disposed of fewer cases than were filed, resulting in an increase in cases awaiting disposition. A clearance rate over 100% means the court has disposed of more cases than were filed, resulting in a decrease in cases awaiting disposition.

Why it is important: Clearance rates measure whether the court is keeping up with its incoming caseload.