A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF COURT HANDLING OF JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS IS CONSTRUCTED TO FRAME THE CURRENT CONTROVERSY AND PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND FOR THE OPPOSING POSITIONS AND THEIR RATIONALES. A CHART PRESENTS SUMMARIES OF POSITIONS TAKEN BY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS CONCERNED WITH JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS AND THE COURT AS WELL AS RATIONALES FOR THESE POSITIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES IN PROCEDURES AND SERVICES. THESE SUMMARIES OF THE POSITIONS OF COURT REFORM GROUPS, FEDERAL COMMISSIONS AND AGENCIES, STATE COMMISSIONS AND AGENCIES, JUDICIAL ORGANIZATIONS, LEGAL DEFENSE GROUPS AND AUTHORITIES, JUDGES, VOLUNTARY CHILD CARE AGENCIES, AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS ARE AUGMENTED BY ANALYSIS OF THE ISSUES BEHIND THEM. ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED IN TAKING A POSITION IN REGARD TO THE FUTURE OF JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS ARE ALSO EXAMINED.