THE TEXT BEGINS WITH A BASIC INTRODUCTION TO THE FIELD OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY -- FACTORS INVOLVED, DEFINITIONS, AND OTHER CONCEPTS OF DELINQUENCY. VARIOUS THEORIES RELATING TO JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND COMMON MISUNDERSTANDINGS ARE DISCUSSED. THE STRUCTURE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS DETAILED, AND SEVERAL PROGRAMS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTION ARE EVALUATED. THE IMPACT OF FAMILY AND SCHOOLS ON DELINQUENCY AND THEIR ROLES IN ITS PREVENTION ARE CONSIDERED. THE HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM ARE OUTLINED, AND REFORMS MADE SINCE 1899 ARE DESCRIBED. AN ANALYSIS IS ALSO MADE OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT, ITS CHARACTERISTICS, CRITICISMS OF THE SYSTEM, AND COURT DECISIONS WHICH HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURES. THE USE OF PROBATION FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS IS EXPLORED, ALONG WITH FUTURE TRENDS IN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THERE IS AN EXTENSIVE DISCUSSION OF THE ROLE OF THE POLICE, INCLUDING SERVICES PROVIDED FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND NEGLECTED AND ABUSED CHILDREN; ITS RELATIONS WITH OTHER AGENCIES; AND THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS POLICE ENCOUNTER WITH YOUTHS INVOLVED IN DRUGS, SEX OFFENSES. THE RIGHTS AND LIABILITIES OF MINORS ARE SUMMARIZED. EACH CHAPTER OF THE TEXT INCLUDES A SUMMARY AND ANNOTATED REFERENCES. NAME AND SUBJECT INDEXES ARE PROVIDED. (VA)