The handbook acknowledges the disparate impact of laws on very young children and on adolescents. Its first six chapters address issues affecting all children under 18 years old; its last five chapters consider issues affecting adolescents exclusively or to a disproportionate degree. The first chapter considers every aspect of police and juvenile justice processing of juveniles from the time of arrest until a court appearance. Issues discussed include custody, confessions, detention, bail, and search and seizure. Chapter 2 reviews rights of juveniles in the juvenile and adult courts, with attention to transfer from juvenile to adult court. Factfinding procedures are a particular concern. The discussion of posttrial dispositions in Chapter 3 focuses on probation, parole, training schools, and other institutions. Chapter 4 reviews State laws dealing with child abuse and neglect as well as the termination of the parent-child relationship. This is followed by a chapter on child custody, foster care, adoption, and illegitimacy. Chapter 6, the final one that addresses issues affecting all children under 18 years old, considers juveniles' access to civil courts, including issues in children's suing for damages to them and in their being sued for damages alleged to have been done by them. The age of legal majority in State law is surveyed in chapter 7, followed by a chapter on medical care, contraception, abortion, and pregnancy. Chapter 9 focuses on adolescent rights in employment, contracts, and financial rights and responsibilities. The concluding two chapters address status offenses and miscellaneous legal rights and limitations for adolescents. The appendixes list the ages at which children have various rights and responsibilities in each State as well as the names and organizations in each State which defend the rights of young people. Chapter case notes and a 6-item bibliography are also provided.