The children had a mean age of 13.6 years and included 85 boys and 92 girls. They were randomly separated into two groups, with school attendance for 70 percent of the time being the criterion for satisfactory progress. When this was achieved, the flexible group returned to court at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks and thereafter at monthly intervals. The inflexible group came back to court only every 4 weeks. Subjects were also randomly allocated into a letters and no letters group, with those in the letter group who had progressed to monthly court sessions receiving letters that excused their appearance in court. Young people on letters did not differ significantly from those not receiving letters with regard to school attendance. Attendance at school improved substantially and fewer children committed criminal offenses during the trial period, although a third less children had been taken to court for failure to attend school than in previous years. Inflexible monthly visits combined with letters to excuse court appearances, once attendance was satisfactory, were as effective as tying court appearance to progress in going to school and requiring personal appearances. Tables, graphs, and seven references are included.