An introductory chapter discusses the historical antecedents of the current juvenile justice network, with emphasis on the relevance of these antecedents to recent developments and current dilemmas. Subsequent chapters focus on problems involved in defining and measuring juvenile delinquency, child abuse, and child neglect; the consequences of such difficulties for practitioners; the characteristics of juvenile offenders and victims; the implications of family ties, social class, and education; and theories of causation related to both delinquency and child abuse and neglect. Further chapters explain the purpose and scope of the juvenile courts, juvenile codes in various States, juvenile court procedures, the impacts of these procedures on youth and juvenile justice professionals, and the personnel in the different components of the juvenile justice system. Further chapters discuss prevention, treatment, and juvenile corrections; violence by and against youth and programs to reduce it; juvenile gangs and their involvement in drugs and violence; and the relationships among philosophy, procedure, and theory. Tables, figures, photographs, chapter discussion questions and reading lists, index, appended Uniform Juvenile Court Act and related materials, and approximately 500 references