The Wayne County juvenile court intake service operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week. In making decisions about how the presented juveniles are to be handled, computerized case records are used to determine the extent of the juvenile's previous contacts with the juvenile justice system. Information is also obtained on the juvenile's family background and school performance. The alleged offense and the circumstances surrounding it are also carefully analyzed to determine the possible degree of culpability involved in the youth's behavior. Caution is exercised in deciding that a youth is a serious offender because of the possible detrimental consequences that might follow from a deeper penetration into the juvenile justice system. The intake service has been instrumental in addressing a significant juvenile problem in the county -- shoplifting. An educational program has been devised for youth accused of this offense as well as their parents. The program informs the youth and their parents about the consequences of a repetition of the offense. Recidivism has been low for those involved in the program. The tape of this presentation also contains questions and answers from a panel dealing with the identification of the serious juvenile offender at intake.