Many indicators and measures of criminal activity among California youth have declined since the early 1970's, yet the youth population incarcerated in State and county facilities shows substantial and continuing increases as do other system indicators such as the average incarceration period, probation length, and average probation load. The data portray a juvenile justice system that is becoming more formal, restrictive, and oriented toward punishment. Juvenile justice in California is not an integrated or coordinated system but rather a collection of agencies tied together to process juvenile offenders. There is often a lack of linkage between prevention programs, corrections, probation, and social support services. California incarcerates a higher proportion of its juvenile offenders than other States with comparable youth populations, and California juveniles as a group are 45 percent more likely to be arrested than adults. Boys account for most juvenile arrests, and older youth, especially certain racial and ethnic minorities, and poor and urban youth are most likely to be arrested. Policymakers and the public at large have not reached a consensus on how to improve juvenile justice, although it is clear that treatment and rehabilitation objectives must be balanced against the need to protect the public. 8 tables, 1 figure.