The report focuses on the disposition of juveniles charged with a criminal law violation or status offense. National estimates are based on analyses of data from courts with jurisdiction over 62 percent of the Nation's youth population at risk of referral to juvenile court. The report presents many subnational statistics. Data indicate that the juvenile courts disposed an estimated 1,156,000 delinquency cases in 1988, about the same as the previous year. The courts handled just over half of these cases informally. Approximately half of the informally processed cases either were dismissed (for legal insufficiency or lack of evidence) or were otherwise terminated after the youth were warned and counseled. In the majority of formally processed cases, the youth were adjudicated delinquent. Of adjudicated delinquents, 57 percent were placed on court-ordered probation, and 30 percent were placed in a residential facility. In 12,000 cases, the court waived its jurisdiction and ordered that the case be transferred to criminal court where the youth would be tried as an adult. 11 figures, 1 table, and a 7-item bibliography