Low levels of reading performance are associated with delinquency. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between early involvement in the justice system and reading problems. This study examined the relationship between youth at various early stages of involvement with criminal behaviors and reading abilities (specifically, literal comprehension, inference, main idea, and language). The demographic variables included age and ethnicity, as well as number of times previously detained, number of days detained, and number of prior referrals. These variables were correlated with performance on a test of reading achievement. Results showed that lower language scores were significantly correlated with increased referral history. The relationship suggests that youth with lower language scores experience higher number of referrals for breaking the law. Implications of this study include the need for language interventions at early signs of behavior problems and intense language interventions at early signs of law breaking. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)