CHAPTER 1071, STATUTES OF 1976 (AB 3121) WAS IMPLEMENTED ON JANUARY 1, 1977. THIS CHANGE IN THE LAW WAS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR DEALING WITH STATUS OFFENDERS (601'S) BY MANDATING THE DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION OF 601'S AND ALLOWING FOR MORE PROBATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. THE LAW ALSO CHANGED THE JUVENILE COURT'S HANDLING OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS BY INTRODUCING A PROSECUTING ATTORNEY TO FILE ALL 602 PETITIONS AND ATTEND ALL HEARINGS, REQUIRING RULES OF EVIDENCE IN JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS, AND REVISING HEARING PRESUMPTION REGARDING FITNESS TO EASE THE MOVEMENT OF 16- AND 17-YEAR-OLD VIOLENT OFFENDERS TO ADULT COURT. IN THE 3 YEARS SINCE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW, MOST PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED BY THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. DATA FOR THE IMPACT EVALUATION WERE COLLECTED FROM FOUR PRINCIPAL SOURCES: A RECORD SEARCH OF COHORTS OF YOUTH PRIOR TO AND SUBSEQUENT TO THE START OF AB 3121, A SUBSTUDY RECORDS SEARCH OF COHORTS OF 601 YOUTH FROM TWO STUDY COUNTIES PRIOR TO AND AFTER THE START OF AB 3121, INTERVIEWS WITH SELECTED COUNTY PERSONNEL, AND AGGREGATE DATA FROM INFORMATION SYSTEMS OF STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES. IN GENERAL, THE IMPACT OF THE BILL WAS IN THE EXPECTED DIRECTION: ARRESTS OF 601'S HAVE DECREASED; 601'S WERE NOT HOUSED IN SECURE FACILITIES; 602 DISPOSITIONS BECAME MORE SEVERE FOR THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES; AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE FILING OF 602 PETITIONS RESULTED IN A COURT SETTING SIMILAR TO AN ADULT COURT. ISSUES REMAINING TO BE RESOLVED ARE OCCASIONAL INSUFFICIENT ALTERNATIVE 601 PROGRAMMING AND FUNDING; SECURE VERSUS NONSECURE DETENTION OF 601'S WHO RESIST FAMILY COUNSELING OR FOSTER CARE; AND THE REMAND PROCESS, WHICH DOES NOT NECESSARILY FACILITATE THE MOVEMENT OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS TO ADULT COURT IN THE MANNER EXPECTED. TABULAR AND GRAPHIC DATA ARE PROVIDED IN THE FULL REPORT. FOR THE FULL REPORT, SEE NCJ 69485.