Includes index.Bibliography: p. 83. Chapter 1: Juvenile Offenders and Criminal Responsibility: Teenagers and crime; Juvenile offenders; When can I be convicted of a criminal offence?; Age and criminal responsibility; Suffer the children; Children still presumed to be innocent - at least until age 14. -- Chapter 2: Young People At Risk: Show us the child at 5, we'll show you the delinquent; Juvenile crime in Australia; Delinquency is a child of poverty; Risk and protective factors associated with antisocial and criminal behaviour; Mother's love key to keeping teenagers crime-free, says study; Living rough: preventing crime and victimisation among homeless young people; Hanging out - negotiating young people's use of public space; Gangs; Youth gangs in Australia - we're not L.A.; Young people and gangs. -- Chapter 3: Juvenile Justice: Detention and Diversion Issues: Juvenile corrective institutions; The children left behind; Black sons want to follow fathers to jail; Best practice principles for the diversion of juvenile offenders; Restorative justice; Face-to-face keeps youth out of court; 'Soft option' the best for reducing juvenile crime - report. About one-third of all crime in Australia is committed by juveniles, costing the community $1.5 billion a year. What is the age of criminal responsibility, and how are the mostly minor offences by young people dealt with in the justice system? What are the risk and protective factors associated with anti-social and criminal behaviour in young people? What are the issues involved in the use of public space by youths? 'Youth gangs' - organised crime, social groups, or a media beat-up? This book examines the extent, causes and effects of youth crime; use of public space; youth gangs; the juvenile justice system; and diversionary approaches to reducing reoffending and detention.