THE DEVELOPMENT AND BACKGROUND OF THE AMERICAN JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE PRESENT STATE AND OPERATIONS OF THE NEW YORK JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED. A SYNOPSIS OF THE NEW ACT IS PROVIDED, IDENTIFYING SECTIONS OF EXISTING LAWS AMENDED BY THE ACT'S PROVISIONS. THE SECTION OF THE NEW ACT WHICH SPECIFIED MANDATED MINIMUM RESTRICTIVE PLACEMENT OF THOSE JUVENILES WHO HAVE COMMITTED CERTAIN SERIOUS AND VIOLENT OFFENSES IS EXAMINED IN DEPTH, ASSESSING ITS IMPACT ON THE CURRENT SYSTEM IN TERMS OF PERSONNEL, INTAKE, ADJUDICATION, AND DISPOSITION REQUIREMENTS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE STRUCTURE AND CONTROLS IMPOSED BY THE ACT HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR MAJOR, MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE HANDLING OF VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDERS.