In 1988, 1,315 young adults between 17 and 20 years of age were sentenced in Cleveland's magistrate courts. This figure represented about 3 percent of the total 17-20 year old population in the county. A total of 1,248 young adults were sentenced in the Crown Court. Most cases dealt with by the Cleveland magistracy were for theft offenses. Sentencing options of magistrate courts included fines, community service, and custody. The Crown Court primarily used community service orders and custody. The review of young adults in Cleveland demonstrates the extent to which many parts of the county continue to exhibit pronounced aspects of social and economic disadvantage. High unemployment exists in many towns, and young adults are heavily represented in many of the more disadvantaged areas. It is recommended that a youth forum be established to involve key statutory and voluntary organizations with an interest in or a responsibility for young adults. The forum should focus on unemployment, the provision of stable and adequate accommodation to reduce young adult offending and reoffending, income support, black and Asian young adults, and resettlement after young adults leave custody and re-enter the community. There is also a clear need to reduce the levels of prosecution and custody for young adult offenders. An appendix contains data on the remand status of male young adult offenders. 16 references, 14 tables, and 14 figures