Age and gender were found to be associated with enrollment of mental health services among detained juvenile offenders. The association between both recidivism and mental health symptoms and mental health service enrollment was stronger for White than for African-American youth. These findings support previous findings that African-American youth demonstrating high levels of psychopathology are less likely than are White youth to be enrolled in mental health services. Increases in symptoms were associated with greater odds of being enrolled in mental health services for Whites and lower odds of being enrolled in mental health services for African-Americans. This finding highlights the possibility that racial bias may be operating. This cross-sectional study of 228 youth in the King County Detention Center in Washington State hypothesized that symptoms, frequency of drug use, and functional impairment would not distinguish those who had been enrolled in the mental health system from those not enrolled in the mental health system. The intent of the study was to gain a better understanding of the factors that predict mental health service enrollment among juvenile offenders. Tables, figures, and references