The article first identifies and discusses criticisms of the current use of psychopathy assessments of juveniles in a legal context. First, psychopathy cannot be reliably and validly assessed in juveniles. Second, psychopathy assessments disproportionately target some cultural groups. Third, psychopathy assessment is inappropriate for juveniles for whom personality traits are still malleable. Fourth, the costs to juveniles assessed with psychopathy outweigh the benefits. The article also reviews arguments that support the responsible application of the psychopathy construct to juveniles. First, psychopathy is fast becoming a reliable and empirically validated assessment for juveniles. Second, the state of the science in culturally competent juvenile psychopathy assessment is positive so far and in need of immediate empirical attention. Third, concerns about the malleability of psychopathy in juveniles are rooted in problematic assumptions. Fourth, the empirical evidence on the cost-benefit of stigma versus clinical gain currently supports careful, responsible use. The author recommends keeping clinical use of juvenile psychopathy assessments commensurate with empirically demonstrated reliability and validity. He further recommends that each case be assessed for the degree to which the assessment of psychopathy helps rather than hurts the client, specifically the child/juvenile client. Finally, the author notes that although research on juvenile psychopathy is ahead of that for many other clinical constructs, additional reliability and validity research is needed for juvenile psychopathy, given the potential for its misuse. 41 references