The first juvenile courts were established in 1899, and almost all jurisdictions now have specialized juvenile courts or juvenile divisions. There is no uniform system of juvenile justice, and courts vary both in terms of the types of cases they handle and in their philosophies (e.g., casework, legal, therapeutic, due process, formal, informal). The New York Family Court deals with the problems of children and families in crisis. It has jurisdiction over such matters as child custody, abuse and neglect, foster care, and juvenile delinquency. Proceedings are initiated by filing of a petition. In juvenile delinquency and designated felony and persons-in-need-of-supervision petitions, a court appearance is scheduled and a law guardian is appointed to the juvenile. If the juvenile denies allegations in the petition, a factfinding hearing is held. If allegations are proven beyond a reasonable doubt, a probation investigation is conducted, and a dispositional hearing is held. Available dispositions include case dismissal, probation, parental custody, foster home placement, restitution, treatment, or residential placement. Court procedures, cases and dispositions in New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Houston are described. 8 references.