Childhood predictors of adult criminality are discussed, with emphasis on the lack of a justification for early intervention programs which are coercive rather than voluntary. Biological influences on child development are explained, with emphasis on the role of the family, school, and general social environment to offset neuropsychological deficits or constitutional deficits. Recent social trends which have contributed to delinquency are described, with emphasis on the need to restructure the current social, economic, and legislative situation. A discussion of child maltreatment as a precursor to delinquency indicates that the identification of children at risk for delinquency is equivalent to the identification of children at high risk for abuse. The historical development of the State's authority to intervene in the lives of children considered to be at risk of delinquency is traced, with attention to judicial decisions restraining the use of that authority. The need for family support centers which would provide a broad spectrum of services to families is also discussed. Chapter reference notes are included. For individual papers, see NCJ-88190-94.