These children had a total of 73,449 referrals to court. Males accounted for 66 percent and females for 34 percent. White youth accounted for 67 percent, black youth for 30 percent, and other minorities for 3 percent. More than 60 percent of the referrals were for law violations, an increase of more than 13 percent over 1991 and 73 percent over 1983. Status offense referrals increased by 73 percent and abuse, neglect, and custody cases by 39 percent over the same time period. Law enforcement initiated 69 percent of the referrals. Males were most likely to be referred for law violations, while non-law violations accounted for 59 percent of female referrals. Seventy-seven percent of the referrals were informally disposed. A total of 5,758 referrals were placed out of home, including 48.4 percent for abuse, neglect, and custody. Figures, tables, and appended tables