The youth justice system deals with 10- to 17-year-olds who commit an offense, or are alleged to have done so, from the first point of contact with the police through (for those convicted) to completion of sentence. For the first time the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 sets out in statute the aim of preventing offending by children and young people. Section 37 of the Act places all the different agencies and individuals working in the youth justice system under a duty to have regard to the principal aim, in addition to their other duties. It is a duty which recognizes the different roles of the agencies and individuals working in the youth justice system but also recognizes that, through the administration of justice, they share a responsibility to do what they can to help prevent young people offending. The paper discusses objectives that all contributors to the youth justice system are urged to reflect in the ways they carry out their individual roles and responsibilities. Appendixes, bibliography