THE AUTHOR ARGUES THAT CHANGES ARE 'DESPERATELY NEEDED' WITH THE NEW YORK FAMILY COURT ACT (THE LEGISLATION PASSED PURSUANT TO THE AMENDMENT) TO DEAL WITH THE RISING RATE OF SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIMES COMMITTED BY JUVENILE OFFENDERS. TWO CASE STUDIES ARE CITED TO SUPPORT HER CONTENTION. THIS NOTE DISCUSSES TWO PROPOSALS WHICH COULD BE INITIAL STEPS TOWARD SOLVING SOME ASPECTS OF THIS YOUTHFUL CRIME CRISIS - LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD PERMIT A FAMILY COURT JUDGE TO WAIVE JURISDICTION OF A MINOR CHARGED WITH A SERIOUS OFFENSE AND THE CREATION OF EFFECTIVE DISPOSITIONAL PROGRAMS FOR THE EMOTIONALLY OR MENTALLY ILL, VIOLENT CHILD.