Part 1 presents a judge's personal perspective on the juvenile court within the context of neglect proceedings in the case of a borderline mentally retarded boy. Part 2 examines major legal issues affecting children. These include permanency, due process in out-of-home placement decisions, confidentiality of juvenile proceedings, and guidelines are offered for diversion programs. Controversy over juvenile's rights in delinquency proceedings is reviewed, and the need for providing constitutional protections is discussed. Grounds for juvenile court waiver and State waiver statutes are examined. Also discussed are the privacy, due process, and freedom of expression rights of minors. Finally, court decisions involving freedom of religion and the establishment clause are reviewed with reference to controversy over school prayer, flag saluting, instruction on evolution, and funding of nonpublic education. Chapter footnotes, table of cases, and index.