This article examines communication and system issues in dealing with misconduct in adolescents. The initial focus is an analysis of the goals of misconduct, including attention, power, revenge, and display of inadequacy. The second focus encourages the school system to consider its own part in the problems of misconduct, by examining circular causality in the way that the system deals with the student. Cautions are given concerning triangulation, enmeshment, and disengagement. The final focus is to suggest alternatives strategies in dealing with misconduct, including relationship building, normalizing and reframing behavior, encouraging the student, and building identity.