The countries surveyed are Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, the Republic of the Philippines, Poland, Russia, the Republic of South Africa, and the United States. The countries surveyed represent all the inhabitable continents of the world and include societies that are highly industrialized, in middle stages of development, and that are termed "Third World" status. The countries also represent various political and economic systems. Most chapters are divided into similar sections, beginning with an introductory and historical description, followed by discussions of the policies and procedures that characterize the formal structure of the juvenile justice system, as well as informal practices that deal with juvenile offenders; a summary and brief discussion of the implications and/or trends in juvenile justice or delinquency are also included. In addition to facilitating comparative assessments of juvenile justice systems throughout the world, the chapters present a contemporary view of the impact of societal change on the treatment of juvenile offenders. Despite the influences of other societies, most of the systems of juvenile justice described also reflect indigenous cultural values and customs, organizational structures, financial situations, and other factors specific to each country. Most of the chapters show efforts to include nonprofessional, communal influences in the handling of juvenile offenders, especially those charged with minor offenses. In some societies, informal influences on juvenile justice are reflected in such institutions as the family and the school. For individual chapters, see NCJ-164966-84. 8 tables, 5 figures, chapter references, and a country index