Results of the study suggest that, among offenders who come into contact with the criminal justice system, those with lower levels of self-control are at greater risk of being arrested and convicted. There is a self-control penalty that results in a greater likelihood of formal processing and sanctioning. One of the most prominent criminological theories to emerge in recent decades is self-control theory. Specifically, the very factor that the theory argues should give rise to crime, low self-control, is one that may very well confer a greater likelihood of being caught and sanctioned. The question that arises is whether individuals with lower levels of self-control are, in fact, more likely to be arrested and, be convicted relative to individuals with higher levels of self-control. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the hypothesis that low self-control will predict greater contact and formal processing is tested. Figure, tables, references, and appendix