BEGINNING WITH A SUMMARY OF MASSACHUSETTS LAW CONCERNING DELINQUENCY PROCEEDINGS, THE BOOKLET DISCUSSES HOW COURTS OR POLICE OFFICERS BRING A JUVENILE INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. BECAUSE MANY JUVENILES ARE ARRESTED IN THE EVENING, PROCEDURES FOLLOWED AND DECISIONS MADE AT THE POLICE STATION ARE DETAILED WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO RELEASE CONDITIONS AND BAIL. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ARRAIGNMENT PROCESS INCLUDES SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE CHILD'S COOPERATION AND LEGAL REPRESENTATION. VARIOUS TRIAL OUTCOMES ARE PRESENTED, FOLLOWED BY AN OUTLINE OF POSSIBLE DISPOSITIONS IF ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE JUVENILE ARE PROVED BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. THE ROLES OF POLICE OFFICERS, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND JUDGES IN A CASE ARE EXAMINED. CONDITIONS GOVERNING APPEALS AND TRANSFERS (BINDOVERS) TO THE ADULT COURT SYSTEM ARE DESCRIBED ALONG WITH PROCEDURES FOLLOWED IN A TRANSFER HEARING. FINALLY, STEPS IN A COMMITMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES (DYS) ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED, AS WELL AS SITUATIONS WHERE THE DYS MAY PLACE A JUVENILE IN A DETENTION FACILITY ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE. THE BOOKLET EMPHASIZES THAT PROCEDURES VARY WIDELY AMONG INDIVIDUAL POLICE STATIONS AND COURTS AND THAT LOCAL JUVENILE JUSTICE PERSONNEL SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR INFORMATION.