The analysis covered almost 7,000 cases of offenses by males. Females were excluded from the study because they constituted less than 13 percent of all offenders between ages 10 and 16. Two groups of youths were studied: those from 10 to 13 and those from 14 to 16. For those aged 10 to 13, a caution by the police was the most common outcome of an arrest. Analysis of the three most common offense categories -- burglary and robbery, theft and fraud, and shoplifting -- showed, using log-linear modeling techniques, that disposition was significantly related to both offense type and number of previous convictions. In the older age group, over half the sample had previous convictions, the range of offenses was more diverse, and a sizable proportion committed more serious offenses. As with the younger group, a clear link was found between the sentence and the criminal record of the defendant. The influence of the type of offense was stronger for this age group than for the younger offenders. The courts varied in their sentencing practices, in part because of the mix of cases they handled. However, all used a tariff system, moving toward greater use of custody as offense and prior record became more serious. The results provide a benchmark for use in examining changes results provide a benchmark for use in examining changes in practice after the 1982 Criminal Justice Act. Figures, tables, appendixes presenting additional data, and lists of other Home Office research reports are included.