Intake: Informal Disposition or Adversary Proceeding?

The Gault decision has provoked extended discussion and de bate because of its revolutionary impact on juvenile justice. Every facet of the juvenile justice system, from police to institu tions, has been affected. This paper discusses the application of the decision to the pre-adjudication stage of the juvenile court proceeding. It shows how one court has made practical adjust ments at this stage and has found the guidelines established by Gault to be reasonable and workable.