Violence among youth has reached epidemic proportions. Every five minutes a child is arrested for a violent crime. To understand this trend, this paper examines characteristics of adolescent males who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. The study focuses on drug and alcohol involvement, the relevance of education, sexual practices, and sensitivity to violence. It is believed that comprehending the attitudes and perceptions of aggressive, undersocialized youth will foster violence prevention and it is hoped that identifying the factors that place juvenile delinquents at risk will help in the development of treatment programs. For this study, 202 males, ages 12-18, filled out three instruments and provided demographic information. Results indicate that juvenile offenders share a number of characteristics: single-parent households headed by the mother; siblings or parents who have been involved in the legal system; the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana at an early age; weekly $1,000 earnings selling crack; a friend who sells drugs; achievement in mathematics; high rates of suspension and expulsion; no aspiration for higher education; early sexual activity; and weapons ownership. A number of intervention strategies, particularly community-based programs, are recommended. (RJM)