The original sample consisted of 156 children randomly assessed at an inner-city juvenile and family court. Sixty-two children met strict criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder. Fifty-two children took part in the 2-year reexamination. The diagnosis was conferred by means of the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents. Results revealed that 32.7 percent of the children retained the full PTSD diagnosis, while 67.3 percent did not meet the criteria for the diagnosis. Findings supported the current concept that PTSD is a disorder of longstanding persistence and indicated that this persistence occurs even in the presence of court-ordered supervision and treatment. 10 references (Author abstract modified)