Research attempted to measure the variations in structure and procedure among juvenile courts by constructing an empirical typology. Results confirmed two major types of courses, traditional and due process, and revealed variations in court structure and procedure that are not captured adequately by existing simplistic typologies. (AM)

Using as variables marital status of offenders' parents, seriousness of offense, number and classification of prior and concurrent offenses, and delinquency rate in offenders' neighborhoods, a study revealed racial bias contributed to differential handling in two-thirds of the dispositions of juvenile cases in one court. (JB)

State juvenile codes and census records in the United States in the 19th century are analyzed. The establishment of reformatories was a necessary precondition for changes in the legal status of children. Groups demanded a specialized legal arena for children which stressed prevention and rehabilitation. (Author/KC)