Findings are based on a review of current literature pertaining both to the intake screening and detention process and on a comparative analysis of 24-hour intake units and other intake models of case processing decisions developed from survey data reported by 213 court intake and probation agencies in 23 States. The literature review indicates that no empirical studies have systematically assessed the direct impact of 24-hour intake services on case processing decisions by police, probation, detention, prosecution, or child protective services staff. The survey found that actual 24-hour intake (excluding on-call services) is rare (only 13.1 percent of jurisdictions) and is most often found in jurisdictions over 500,000 population. The study's only consistent finding is that 24-hour intake services are generally more effective in uniformly increasing diversion percentages than non-24-hour intake services. 25 figures, 26 tables, 23 references, 75-item bibliography.