Chapter 1 defines delinquency and examines public perceptions of juvenile crimes. Chapter 2 looks at the prevalence of juvenile delinquency through an examination of official and unofficial data sources. Chapter 3 discusses the social context of delinquency and the juvenile justice system, including political and economic influences on delinquency and justice. Chapter 4 traces the early history of juvenile justice and discusses the development and operation of early juvenile institutions and probation programs. Chapter 5 looks at the development of the juvenile court, examining such aspects as how the social and legal context of the late 1800’s contributed to the development of the juvenile courts. Chapter 6 examines the attitudes and responses of the public and the police to juvenile offenders. The history of policing youths is reviewed, followed by an analysis of the role of police in modern society. Chapter 7 describes the concept of diversion and how it is used to manage juvenile offenders. Chapter 8 examines preadjudication processes within the juvenile justice system, such as the intake process, the use of bail, the role of discretion, and plea bargaining. Chapter 9 describes the transfer of juvenile offenders to adult courts, focusing on the purpose of transfers, the mechanisms through which transfers are accomplished, due process issues, and recent developments in the use of transfers. Chapter 10 looks at the structure, functions, and personnel of the contemporary juvenile court. Chapter 11 describes and evaluates community-based correctional programs for juvenile offenders, including at-home and residential community-based placements. Chapter 12 examines institutional juvenile correctional programs, focusing on trends and challenges facing juvenile correctional institutions. Chapter 13 defines juvenile status offenders and examines the role of the juvenile justice system in responding to status offenders. Chapter 14 discusses the violent juvenile offender and the justice system response. Chapter 15 examines changes in the quality of juvenile justice practice and describes the current challenges and future issues of the juvenile justice system in America. Chapter 16 reviews the jobs performed in juvenile justice and the skills necessary to become an effective juvenile justice practitioner. Each chapter contains a chapter summary, key concepts, review questions, references for additional readings, and notes. Index