A discussion of the emergence of juvenile justice as a distinct field and an overview of juvenile crime trends over the years lays the foundation for a critical review of juvenile justice developments since its formal inception in the late 19th century. An assessment is offered of challenges to the traditional rehabilitation ideal in juvenile justice and proposals to alter the traditional mission of the juvenile court. These proposals are evaluated in the context of current knowledge about the social and psychological development of juveniles. Also reviewed is current knowledge regarding the effectiveness of various approaches to juvenile crime through the police, courts, and corrections. The discussion focuses on debate surrounding the contention that 'nothing works' in juvenile rehabilitation. A review of juvenile justice reform proposals considers issues that range from due process and sentencing guidelines to the management of status offenders. The role of the juvenile justice system in holding juveniles accountable for their destructive behavior is considered along with its role in administering potentially rehabilitative resources. The book points out the limited impact the juvenile justice system can expect to have on juvenile misbehavior forged by complex social, economic, political, and psychological factors. 179 references and subject index.