This paper explores the relationship between public welfare agencies and juvenile courts in cases involving child abuse. Data was gathered from eight Southeastern States through questionnaires and personal interviews with agency officials. The findings are incorporated into a discussion of agency-court relationships in the areas of adjudication (the function of assessing the facts to determine if the state should intervene on behalf of the child) and disposition (the function of determining the most appropriate action the State should take). The function of adjudication poses two major problem areas in agency-court relationships: (1) welfare agencies, which are responsible for case preparation and presentation, are not equipped with adequate legal resources; and (2) the lack of well-defined criteria for defining abuse often leads to conflict between the agency and the juvenile court on determination of case status. The disposition of a case is another source of conflict between the agency and court because this is the responsibility of the judge, who often disregards the agency's recommendations although the agency has primary responsibility for followup. The author concludes that a more coordinated agency-court relationship is necessary to deal with the seriousness and legal complexities of child abuse. (RWP)