THE TEXT OPENS WITH REVIEWS OF THE CONCEPT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THE NATURE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY. THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM -- POLICE, COURTS, PROBATION, CORRECTIONS, AND DIVERSIONARY SERVICE AGENCIES -- ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE ROLE OF SCHOOLS IN PREVENTING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY IS DISCUSSED. SECTIONS ON POLICE PATROL OFFICERS AND JUVENILE INVESTIGATORS COVER THE PROCESSES USED TO IDENTIFY, INVESTIGATE, AND PREVENT DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR, AS WELL AS DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THE SELECTION AND TRAINING OF PROBATION OFFICERS ARE DESCRIBED, AND METHODS FOR HANDLING JUVENILE OFFENDERS ARE SUGGESTED. THE STRUCTURE, DESIGN, LEGAL POWERS, AND CONSTRAINTS OF THE JUVENILE COURT ARE DISCUSSED, AND CASES AFFECTING JUVENILE COURT OPERATION ARE CITED. THREE CASE STUDIES ILLUSTRATING THE HANDLING OF DELINQUENTS BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE APPENDED. UNIT REVIEW QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION TOPICS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND AN INDEX ARE INCLUDED. FOR COMPANION INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE, SEE NCJ 43500.