1 in 3 Will Be Arrested Before Age 23, New Study Shows [AUDIO]

Did you know one in three people will be arrested by the time they are age 23? A new study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that arrest is a pretty common experience nowadays.

The study conducted over 11 years asked children and young adults whether they had ever been taken into custody for illegal acts such as vandalism, underage drinking, truancy or shoplifting. Thirty percent said yes.

Nick Irons, professor of criminology at Morris County College, says police are cracking down on offenses taht might not have gotten as much attenion 40 years ago. "Its much easier to simple charge somebody with a crime, let them go to court and let the chips fall where they may, its a lot more difficult to try and correct the problem within the community."

He says society is starting to become a lot less tolerant of these behaviors. "This is a reflection of police departments keeping a much better track of what's going on out there."

But, the high rate of arrests is troubling, said Irons. The records will follow them as young adults and make it that much harder for them to get jobs, student loans and housing.

"You can't become a real-estate agency, a police officer, an attorney...you can't work as a school bus driver or as a teacher...all kinds of professions that require a background check that can really haunt you for life."