An analysis of the juvenile justice system focuses on its philosophical foundations and on current issues related to jurisdiction, violent offenders, police treatment of juveniles, rights of the accused, court processes, and sentencing. A paper on child abuse and neglect examines the interests of the child, the parents, and the State; the principles underlying intervention; and the standards for intervention. Medical care is examined in terms of the rights of parents and of children, medical malpractice, medical neglect, issues related to defective infants, emergency medical situations, and a teenager's right to abortion and contraceptive care. Adoption is discussed with respect to voluntary relinquishment by the biological parent, the putative father, involuntary termination of parental rights, the rights of stepparents to adopt, independent adoptions, and confidentiality issues. The history and current law regarding child custody, control of education, educational records, discrimination in education, and student rights and responsibilities are also explained. Reference notes.