Overview of the juvenile court -- Interrogation : what the police don't what you to know -- Arrest -- The detention hearing : will they keep the child in custody until trial? -- Pretrial issues : what to do between the detention hearing and the trial -- Should the child take a deal or go to trial? -- Will the juvenile record go away when the child becomes an adult? -- Disposition hearing (sentencing) : asking the court to provide the services the child needs -- How to succeed on probation -- When the child is sent to residential placement -- Transferring children to adult criminal court -- School search issues -- When children get suspended or expelled : school discipline and zero-tolerance policies -- Special education issues -- Does race matter? -- Children with mental health issues -- Institutional abuse : is the child in danger? -- The special needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth -- The special needs of girls -- When the child is charged with a sexual offense.