Several factors influence youth court appearances including police charging practices, provincial precourt screening procedures, the availability of criminal justice resources, and the backlog and volume of cases. In 1989-1990, about 37,000 youths appeared in Canadian juvenile courts; over 80 percent were male and 57 percent were age 16 or older. Over 60 percent were charged with property crimes and 18 percent with violent crimes. About 80 percent of the youths were convicted of at least one charge; those whose most serious charge was drug-related or a Federal offense were more likely to be convicted than those facing less serious charges. From 1986-1987 and from 1989-1990, the proportion of all cases resulting in a guilty verdict decreased from 75 to 71 percent. In 1989-1990, about half of convicted juveniles received probation, while 23 percent received secure or open terms of custody, 14 percent were fined, and 8 percent were ordered to perform community service. Males were more likely to receive harsher penalties than females. Sentences for both open and secure custody tended to be relatively short-term. The data suggested that nearly 40 percent of young offenders sentenced in 1989-1990 were repeat offenders; 88 percent of recidivists were male. About the same proportion of first-time offenders and repeat offenders were convicted of property and violent offenses. The profile of young offenders transferred to adult courts seems to be changing. Although the proportion of transfers declined, a larger proportion of those transferred were charged with violent offenses. 4 figures and 8 notes (Author abstract modified)