Serious and violent juvenile offenders (SVJOs) consist of a comparatively small part of the larger juvenile offender population except they commit a disproportionate percentage of juvenile crime, and their crimes are often severe in nature and degree. It is because of this difference from other juvenile offenders that previous research has focused on this small influential segment of the juvenile population. SVJOs offend earlier, continue to offend for a longer time, and they begin to display behavior problems at an earlier age, a disproportionately large number of SVJOs are African-American; they engage in higher rates of gun ownership, gang membership, sexual activity, teenage parenthood, and early separation or independence from family. In addition, SVJOs are mostly male, have multiple problems, such as drug and alcohol abuse, emotional and mental health problems, and problematic school histories, and have themselves been victimized by violence. In examining possible predictors of SVJOs, it was seen that the greater the number of risk factors, the greater the probability for violent behavior. Identified predictors for SVJOs included: (1) hyperactivity, attention-deficit, restlessness, and risk-taking; (2) aggressiveness and early violent behavior; (3) anti-social behavior and beliefs; (4) family dysfunction and criminality; (5) school and academic factors; (6) peer influence; (7) neighborhood and community influences; and (8) childbirth and metabolic indicators. The SVJO represents a serious societal dilemma that cannot be ignored. Clearly identifying and then deterring the SVJO is an essential part of any sensible prevention strategy. Programs that target juveniles with multiple risk factors were seen as more likely to prevent future violent behavior than programs focusing on only single risk factors.