While the discretion built into the system was meant to be beneficial to the youth involved, it has not been beneficial to the victims or the community. Further, juveniles are quick to learn that there are very few real sanctions against criminal activity. The current handling of juvenile offenders also serves as a model for other youths. If the system more effectively handled serious and habitual delinquents, crime would not be so attractive to younger juveniles. In 1981, a third of juveniles arrested were released without referrals of any kind. Approximately 58 percent were sent to juvenile court, and only 5 percent were waived to criminal court. While informal processes, discretion, and diversion seek to protect youth, they fail to recognize the basic incompatibility of informality and justice. 6 endnotes.