Five groups of factors have been identified as predictive of future offending: family factors such as poor parenting skills and parental pathology or criminality; biological deficits such as birth defects or learning disability; parental attitudes, supervision, and affection; antisocial and acting-out behaviors; and delinquency history. Using these predictor variables, chronic offenders can be identified with about 50-percent accuracy. While the juvenile court had almost absolute power to intervene, recent emphasis on the rights of minors and concerns about discrimination and stigmatization place some constraints on intervention. Promising programs for chronic delinquents provide opportunities for success and improved self-esteem, facilitate familial bonds, provide timely and accurate feedback on behaviors, and reduce or eliminate negative role models and peer influences. These programs require juveniles to understand rationalizing thought processes, create opportunities for nonjudgmental discussion of family matters, and individualize treatment to the youth's needs and capabilities. Positive prevention approaches include early education parent training, effective schools, and youth service programs. 107 references.