The first program described is the Bronx Youth Diversion Program (New York), which is a formal mediation program that involves traditional pretrial diversion counseling and rehabilitative activities. It is operated by an independent corporation composed of private citizens from the community and persons from the VERA Institute for Justice and Fordham University. Youth enter the program primarily through referrals from probation officers. The youths' problems are identified in a forum, as all persons who might contribute to a diagnosis of the problems involved are asked to provide information. An advocate helps youths to present their case to the forum. A second program is the East Palo Alto Youth Responsibility Program (California). Under this program, youth in trouble have the option to be brought before a citizen's panel which considers the case, advises the youth, and proposes a program of rehabilitation or discipline in lieu of court processing. A third program is the Juvenile Mediation Program of the Rochester Citizen's Dispute Forum (New York). This program uses mediation exclusively, employing lay mediators trained in the mediating process and the problems of youth and their families. Judges refer cases for mediation, with most cases involving truancy, some juvenile delinquency, and a great many that involve restitution. Another type of program represented in two operations -the community board program in San Francisco and the Gloria Patterson program in Pittsburgh -- aims at keeping youth from having any dealings with the criminal justice system by advertising its mediation skills as a means of dealing with problems without going to the police. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of program are considered.