Cause of Action

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Creates a case for holding states liable for abdicating their duty to ensure that all children have zealous representation.

Executive Summary – Critical Need for Counsel at Interrogation for Youthful Offenders

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Defend Children: A Blueprint for Effective Juvenile Defender Services

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Provides a framework for developing effective youth defense systems.

Broken Bridges: How Juvenile Placements Cut Off Youth from Communities and Successful Futures

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Ensuring Access: A Policy Advocacy Toolkit (2018)

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Access Denied found that “[n]o jurisdiction in the United States wholly fulfills the constitutional promise of justice for children.” So, no matter where you live and practice, your jurisdiction can improve. As juvenile defense advocates, we have a responsibility to identify and work to correct systemic deficiencies and to honor our clients’ dignity and well-being.…

Memorandum of Agreement Between the United States Department of Justice and the St. Louis County Family Court

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Role of Juvenile Defense Counsel Post-Disposition (2016)

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Disposition orders—commonly understood as sentencing—move children deeper into the juvenile court system. For example, some youth might be confined to secure custody or placed on probation. During the “post-disposition” phase, defenders must represent children at all probation and parole review or modification hearings, advise clients of their legal rights, explain their case options and possible…

Increasing Juvenile Appeals: An Underused Critical Check on the Juvenile Delinquency System

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A one-page infographic on juvenile appeal rates.

Juvenile Defense Self-Assessment Tool

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The Juvenile Committee of the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) and the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) have developed a Self-Assessment Tool that is intended to create an opportunity to reflect on practices in your office that you may not have considered before. We hope you will complete this assessment and fairly consider the…

United States Department of Justice Investigation of the St. Louis County Family Court, St. Louis, Missouri

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Issue Brief-Protecting Rights, Promoting Positive Outcomes: Post-Disposition Access to Counsel

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After the disposition (sentencing) phase in juvenile court, a case moves into what may be the longest and most critical phase of the delinquency process—post-disposition. Post-disposition advocacy is vital to safeguard the constitutional rights of adjudicated youth and aid in community reintegration, and it encompasses a broad array of issues that affect adjudicated youth; yet,…

Appeals: A Critical Check on the Juvenile Delinquency System

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A robust and expeditious juvenile appellate practice ensures that youth are fully accorded their due process rights and is essential to developing a strong and cohesive body of juvenile jurisprudence. All children have a right to appeal their juvenile adjudications. Juvenile defenders are constitutionally mandated to confer with their young clients about their right to…

Issue Brief-Advancing Post-Disposition Representation to Protect the Due Process Rights of Youth and Promote Positive Youth Outcomes

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Post-disposition advocacy encompasses a broad array of issues that affect adjudicated youth. Such advocacy may entail engaging in appellate work; monitoring and engaging in direct advocacy related to safety, conditions of confinement, and parole; monitoring the implementation of disposition plans and actively participating in review hearings to ensure that the court is accurately informed about…

Models for Change Innovation Brief: Addressing the Legal Needs of Youth After Disposition

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Risk Assessment in Juvenile Justice: A Guidebook for Implementation

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Models for Change Knowledge Brief: Can Risk Assessment Improve Juvenile Justice Practices?

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