The PACER Center is advocating for greater involvement of parents whose children have become involved in the juvenile justice system. Coalition for Juvenile Justice reported in January 2004 that of the 300,000 to 600,000 juveniles who cycle through detention facilities after arrest awaiting legal action, more than half are under 16 years of age and one-third are under age 15 (Coalition for Juvenile Justice, 2004). A high proportion of these youth have mental health and substance abuse problems, but most have not committed violent offenses. Historically, the mandate of juvenile court has been to act in the best interests of the child. As is the case with adults, youth are entitled to counsel, to be silent in interrogations, and to face their accusers. In some states, significant efforts have been made to ensure that youth have some protections during questioning. In Minnesota, for example, juvenile interrogations must be audio taped; in other states, they must be video-taped. These protections are significant and advocates should make every effort to work for similar protections in every state.