The book's first major section, which discusses juvenile detention, explains the California judicial system on both the county and State levels. The functions of the juvenile court, detention in juvenile hall, county ranches, and the California Youth Authority are examined in relationship to one another. A study of juvenile crime in Santa Clara County provides information on crime types, arrest frequency, age groups, and relevant American law. The book's second major section, which addresses delinquency prevention, focuses on the three primary arenas impacting juveniles' behavior: parental influence, peer influence, and the influence of the social environment. Professionals in agencies working with juveniles were interviewed regarding these influences on juveniles. Studies relevant to juvenile delinquency prevention are reviewed. Some topics addressed in these studies are family relations factors, gang violence suppression, television influence, and the parental-stress hotline. The California Office of Criminal Justice Planning provides support to criminal justice agencies, victim service organizations, and crime prevention programs in California. Its programs and efforts are described. 33-item bibliography.