The study sample consisted of 10,653 juveniles referred to the court for delinquent or status offenses over a 13-year period. To identify factors related to placement decisions, data on each youth's court history were obtained from the court's computer system. Data were analyzed to obtain the attrition rate between 'decision events' (offenses resolved at the same hearing and related dispositions), placement rates, detention status, race, present offense severity, time between adjudications, age at adjudication, sibling involvement with the court, prior probation supervision, prior placement history, and offense history. Placement decisions for girls were based primarily on the court's perceptions of the types and extent of behavior problems. For boys, the court gave more consideration to the severity of their present offenses and the seriousness and number of their past offenses. The extent of behavioral problems also influenced placement decisions for boys. White males and females had higher placement odds than black and Native American girls and boys, possibly due to the types of placement programs available, program staff preferences, and the influence of juveniles' parents. Given the findings, information on the court's perceptions of the types and extent of behavioral problems should be recorded with the same consistency as offense-related information. Any legislation which might reduce placement rates should include a plan for better serving these youths in the community. Placement criteria should be based on what is best for the juvenile, regardless of race or gender.