Here in Philly, juveniles facing charges have the benefit of well-funded public attorneys, and rarely go to court without a lawyer. But young people in other parts of the state are less fortunate.

Hordes of young men race toward the three rows of Xboxes, playing tournament games of Halo, America's Army and Madden, as well as to the Apache and Black Hawk attack helicopter and Humvee combat simulators. Smiling recruiters chat with the gamers and provide a running commentary on the tournaments. One tall, muscular man with a booming voice speaks into a wireless microphone, eerily projecting his encouragement over an invisible speaker system.