Crimes committed by juveniles between 14 and 18 years old constitute approximately 10 percent of all crimes, compared to an estimated 39 percent for the eight most serious crimes in the United States. Juveniles who commit minor offenses are typically handled informally by law enforcement personnel or diverted to social service agencies. The commissions on juvenile affairs are coordinating centers for all community organizations concerned with juvenile delinquency. These commissions perform many of the functions of U.S. family courts. Serious crimes by juveniles aged 14 and over may warrant criminal prosecution. Soviet scholars attribute juvenile delinquency in the Soviet Union principally to urbanization, industrialization, and the dynamism of the social system. Major new developments in delinquency prevention are educational reform, an emphasis on family therapy centers, and a campaign to reduce alcohol abuse. 42 references.