THE WAYS IN WHICH THE LEGAL SYSTEM AFFECTS CHILDREN ARE NOTED, AND PROBLEMS IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDREN BEFORE THE LAW ARE REVIEWED. THE DISCUSSION NOTES THE INFLUENCE ON CHILDREN OF GENERAL LAWS EMBODYING SOCIAL POLICY (E.G., COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAWS, LAWS THAT PROVIDE FOR HEAD START AND OTHER PROGRAMS), BUT FOCUSES ON THE 'DISPOSING AND DISTRIBUTING' OF CHILDREN BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM (CUSTODY CASES, NEGLECT/ABUSE CASES, DELINQUENCY DISPOSITION, ADOPTION LAWS). PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE COURTS IN ARRIVING AT DECISIONS REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN DIVORCE CASES AND THE REMOVAL OF NEGLECTED CHILDREN FROM THEIR NATURAL HOMES ARE DISCUSSED. ASPECTS OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT THEORY -- ATTACHMENT, THE IMPACT OF EARLY HOME ENVIRONMENT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS, PHASES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT (AS THEY RELATE TO THE CHILD'S DECISIONMAKING ABILITY) -- THAT HAVE A BEARING UPON COURT DECISIONS REGARDING CHILDREN ARE NOTED. DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGISTS ARE URGED TO HELP THE COURTS SERVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF CHILDREN. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT MANY COURTS AND CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES WOULD BE WILLING TO WORK WITH BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS IN CARRYING OUT NEEDED RESEARCH. (AUTHOR ABSTRACTED MODIFIED--LKM)