Over time, juvenile delinquents have been defined either as victims (and hence not responsible for their actions) or as offenders (and hence at least partly responsible for their actions). This shifting conceptualization of juveniles has influenced juvenile justice policy. Victims are generally considered deserving of special care and protection and, more importantly, treatment. Offenders, on the other hand, are usually viewed as deserving punishment. It is important, therefore, to examine the role of societal perceptions of adolescence over time in determining the designation of these labels and the overall utility of these dichotomous characterizations. In examining the interaction of views of adolescents and juvenile justice policy in New York State, the 1980's has seen an apparent shift of juvenile justice policies toward the view of juveniles as victims. The exception to this trend may be in policies toward serious, violent juveniles, although treatment programs may be expanding for even this population. 9 notes, 51-item bibliography. (Author abstract modified)