Abstract
The public’s concern for adolescent violent crimes in its communities has sparked a national trend of legislative action to send these juveniles to adult court to stand trial. The adult criminal justice system already is overburdened with adult offenders. Adult jail facilities often are ill-equipped to handle the emotional, medical, and mental health needs of this special population of offenders. Existing medical and psychiatric programs must be very creative and flexible in their approach to providing services to this population. The issue created by transfer of violent juvenile offenders to adult court are reviewed. Recommendations and approaches to caring for these children are outlined.