BEGINNING IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY, JUVENILE COURTS SHIFTED TO BECOME INFORMAL PROCEEDINGS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PROTECTION, CARE, AND REHABILITATION. HOWEVER, THE SUPREME COURT HAS DECIDED THAT DUE PROCESS SHOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS. A SURVEY OF 51 JURISDICTIONS SHOWED THAT THE MAJOR STANDARDS FOR JUVENILE DETENTION WERE TO INSURE THE OFFENDER'S PRESENCE AT TRIAL, TO PROTECT THE JUVENILE, AND TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY. DETENTION HARMS THE JUVENILE IN THE PREADJUDICATORY STAGE BECAUSE IT DISRUPTS DAILY PATTERNS AND INTRODUCES JUVENILES TO ATTITUDES AND EXPERIENCES OF MORE SOPHISTICATED CRIMINALS. IT ALSO PREJUDICES THE OUTCOME OF A TRIAL BY HINDERING CONTACT BETWEEN DEFENDANT AND ATTORNEY AND INSINUATING THAT THE DEFENDANT IS GUILTY. AN ANALYSIS OF SUPREME COURT DECISIONS SHOWS THAT IN QUESTIONS OF DUE PROCESS, THE COURT DETERMINES WHETHER A PARTICULAR PROCEDURE PROTECTS THE JUVENILE FROM INHERENT UNFAIRNESS AND GOVERNMENTAL OPPRESSION. THE COURT THEN EXAMINES THE EFFECT THAT AN ADULT PROCEDURAL RIGHT WOULD HAVE ON THE JUVENILE COURT'S PROTECTIVE ROLE. THE RIGHT TO BAIL APPEARS TO BE GUARANTEED BY THE 8TH AND 14TH AMMENDMENTS. A RIGHT TO PREADJUDICATORY RELEASE PROVIDED BY BAIL WOULD NOT IMPAIR EXISTING JUVENILE PROCEDURES NOR DIMINISH ANY SPECIAL BENEFITS ACCORDED TO JUVENILES. BECAUSE JUVENILES ARE USUALLY POOR, THEIR RIGHT TO RELEASE SHOULD BE CONDITIONED ON NONMONETARY FACTORS, SUCH AS A PROMISE TO RETURN TO COURT OR ADULT SUPERVISION. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (MJM)