A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF EFFORTS TO DEFINE AND PREVENT JUVENILE DELINQUENCY FROM COLONIAL TIMES TO THE CIVIL WAR IS PROVIDED. THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF DELINQUENCY CONTROL MEASURES ENACTED IN THE STATE BEGINNING WITH THE RATIFICATION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION IN 1875 THROUGH PASSAGE OF THE JUVENILE COURT ACT OF 1905 IS EXAMINED. CONCLUDING REMARKS ARE DIRECTED AT BUREAUCRATIZATION OF AND LACK OF INNOVATION WITHIN THE SYSTEM AS WELL AS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE SYSTEM MAY HAVE PROVED DETRIMENTAL TO THE WELFARE OF MANY OF THE YOUTHS.