Legally, children possess fewer responsibilities and enjoy fewer rights. They are generally less autonomous, have not internalized social values, and are often vulnerable to outside influences. Thus, coercive intervention is sometimes necessary and can work. By retaining jurisdiction over status offenders, including habitually truant, disobedient, and runaway children, the courts can fairly examine the alleged misconduct and can refer the child to services within a context of procedural safeguards. Further, children's diminished responsibility supports milder sanctions than those for adults, and their extraordinary capacity for change encourages rehabilitative responses and partially justifies early intervention. Such intervention is additionally supported by society's strong and legitimate interest in helping children grow into responsible, mature citizens. 68 endnotes and 26 references.