SAN ANTONIO — Violent crime referrals involving juveniles in Bexar County have decreased slightly over the last year, according to new data from the Bexar County Juvenile Probation Office. But county officials say the small progress underscores the need for continued efforts to keep young people out of the criminal justice system.

Judge William Cruz Shaw, who sees many of these cases firsthand, said every case involving a child weighs on him in some way.

“Every case is different but every case has something that kind of pulls at your strings a little bit,” Shaw said.

Total violent crime referrals have dropped by 20 cases compared to this time last year. However, the number of murder or manslaughter cases rose by three.

Shaw said the rise in violence, especially among youth, is often ti

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