IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT, IN THEIR REPORTS, PROBATION OFFICERS WOULD REFLECT A DIAGNOSTIC CASEWORK ORIENTATION, WHEREAS JUDGES WOULD VIEW CASES PRIMARILY FROM A LEGAL, CRIMINOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE. FIFTY-SIX PRESENTENCE REPORT ITEMS (ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN THE OFFENSE, FAMILY SETTING, FUNCTIONING IN SOCIAL SETTINGS, PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS, CONTACTS WITH SOCIAL AGENCIES) WERE RATED FOR THE REPORTS OF THREE DISPOSITION GROUPS: SUSPENDED SENTENCE, PROBATION, AND REFORMATORY. THE HYPOTHESES COULD NOT BE PROVED. COURT AND PROBATION OFFICERS ALIKE EMPHASIZED THE LEGAL ASPECT OF THE OFFENSE AND THE CRIMINAL HISTORY OF THE OFFENDER RATHER THAN THE SOCIAL ASPECTS OF THE OFFENSE. BOTH JUDGES AND PROBATION OFFICIALS STRESSED THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF A CRIMINAL CAREER, WHETHER THE YOUTH WAS 'TROUBLE-ORIENTED,' WHETHER THE YOUTH CAME FROM A BROKEN HOME, AND WHETHER THE YOUTH WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IMPULSES AND ADJUST TO AUTHORITY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT PRESENTENCE REPORTS SHOULD FOCUS ON THE ANTICIPATED EFFECT OF VARIOUS DISPOSITION ALTERNATIVES. STUDY INSTRUMENTS, SUPPORTING DATA, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)