Findings of studies on young defendants and offenders indicate the need to prevent offending. Studies also address the risk that uncertainty about the outcome of criminal proceedings can be associated with a rash of offending and the possibility of bullying, self-harm, suicide, and danger to family and community ties caused by separation of young people. Concern about the greater vulnerability of young people involved in the criminal justice system means that several safeguards need to operate for the younger age group. The criminal behavior of young people needs to be dealt with promptly if it is to be discouraged in the future. Further, young people are emotionally less well-equipped than most adults to continue to live normally while waiting for a court appearance. Helping children build and maintain strong links with families, schools, and local communities is an effective way of reducing future offending. The period between charge and disposal, being inherently stressful, puts pressure on children and parents and often hampers opportunities to continue education, training, and employment. Many benefits can be gained by bringing criminal proceedings involving young offenders to a speedy outcome. In particular, reducing delays helps to avoid the increased likelihood of offending on bail, damage that can be caused by bullying and intimidation during custodial remand, and undue pressure on family and community ties. In addition, the effectiveness of sentencing decisions after a finding of guilt can be enhanced when unnecessary delay is avoided. A framework for action is presented to reduce delays in criminal proceedings involving young offenders that focuses on diversion, prosecution, bail, remand, presentence reports, repeat offenders, and young adults. 3 footnotes