The juvenile court of today is markedly different from that of 20 years ago. Its intervention activities are more closely linked to law and legal procedure. Its responsibility for sanctioning status offenders has been cut back. More serious or repetitive juvenile offenders now have their cases processed in a criminal court. And public policy and court practices have toughened. This chapter looks at the people and institutions that have shaped juvenile court; explores the organization and structure of the court, its funding, facilities and administration; examines the court's jurisdiction or authorized types of cases; and describes its judges and other hearing officers, the lawyers who practice in it, and the probation and public child welfare agencies that serve the court. Juvenile court has matured across numerous backgrounds and has significant influence over individual and community activities. It continues to provide a law-directed response to juvenile law violations and to the needs of abused and neglected children. The chapter includes discussion questions based on the information presented. Notes, references, cases cited