THE PHILADELPHIA DATA AND FINDINGS BASED ON THE DATA ARE DESCRIBED AND DISCUSSED. THE INTAKE PRACTICES OF A JUVENILE OFFENDER PROGRAM, THE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU ARE EXAMINED WITH REFERENCE TO THE UNITED STATES AS A WHOLE, AND TO NORTH CAROLINA. NORTH CAROLINA HAS CHOSEN THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM TO SUPPLEMENT, OR SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO, THE CONVENTIONAL JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IMPLICATIONS OF THE PHILADELPHIA DATA FOR NORTH CAROLINA ARE TRACED, INCLUDING SUGGESTIONS REGARDING PRIORITIES IN PROVIDING SERVICE TO JUVENILE OFFENDERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)