This study examined the perceptions of mothers of juvenile offenders in moderating risk and negotiating autonomy in adolescence. Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted: five of which were used as the basis of this study and a further three interviews, taken from a wider study on parental perceptions of risk, were used for comparative purposes. A list of interview questions was developed based on the concerns of parents found in the current literature. Participants were accessed through the Department of Juvenile Justice, New South Wales, and all came from a large regional area. All sons of the mothers of juvenile offenders (MOJO) were aged between 17 and 18 years. Sons of mothers of non-offenders (MONO) were aged between 13 and 18 years. The results showed that both MOJO's and MONO's expressed similar issues that caused them anxiety such as drugs, drink/driving, peers, and alcohol in relation to the growing autonomy of their adolescents. All mothers seemed to have similar belief systems around risk but it was the way in which these beliefs were operationalized that often made the differences. This was interesting given the differences between MOJO's and MONO's in relation to income, education, and environmental issues. Overall MOJO's seem to view offending behavior of their adolescents as part of a larger developmental process, leaving them feeling battle weary and scarred but often with a greater sense of competency. MONO's, who do not have to deal with the problematic behavior that MOJO's do, seem to find adolescence a more positive experience. 56 references