Findings from a longitudinal analysis are used to illustrate the importance of including processual variables in explanations of the type and severity of dispositions imposed within the juvenile justice system. Results show that dispositions imposed for prior offenses exert a significant impact on dispositions imposed for current offenses, even when appropriate variables are controlled. Moreover, the pattern of this relationship is one of stabilization rather than escalation: dispositions are likely to be repeated from offense to offense rather than becoming more severe as the criminal career develops.