Of 105 juveniles aged 7-12 on first referral, only 29 (28 percent) were taken into juvenile court and adjudicated delinquent on the first referral. Of 273 juveniles aged 13-15 on first referral, 134 (49 percent) were taken into juvenile court and adjudicated delinquent on first referral. Of 98 juveniles aged 13-15 on first referral, 134 (49 percent) were taken into juvenile court and adjudicated delinquent on first referral. Of 243 juveniles adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court on their first referral to juvenile justice, 20 percent were imprisoned after the age of 18. Of 233 juveniles not taken to juvenile court on their first referral to juvenile justice, 43 percent were imprisoned after the age of 18. It has long been known that the younger the ages of children when they first commit delinquent acts, the worse their prognosis for future involvement in the criminal justice system. This study concludes that the unfavorable outcome for early-age contact with the juvenile justice system can be accounted for by a practice regarded as "giving the kid another chance," i.e., not taking juveniles into court on their first juvenile justice referral. 4 tables and 8 references