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This study focuses on the life paths of complex cases from the PJJ (Youth Legal Protection). A mixed, quantitative, psychodynamic and qualitative analysis of the files of the Etape project (Team for Adolescent Transitions and the Prevention of Exclusion) confirms our hypothesis that the lives of these adolescents follow a typical course. Affective deficiencies, domestic violence, repeated break-ups and passages to the act lay the groundwork for a difficult – perhaps impossible – encounter between the adolescent and the host institution, thus leading to “unplaceable” status.