Social Work
A sample disposition and mitigation memorandum filed in a juvenile court in Ohio.
This is an example of a screening tool to be used in collaboration with defense experts, social work staff, and attorneys when gathering information as to whether a young person may have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Abstract: “Nearly sixty years ago, In re Gault guaranteed children in juvenile court the right to counsel. However, Gault fell short. While recognizing children’s distinct vulnerability, the Court created a right for children that is weaker than that of adults and failed to recognize how youth in fact require a more expansive right to counsel. Grounded in the stories of…
From the Executive Summary, developed by Equip for Equality: “The children in the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (“JTDC”) are some of the most vulnerable youth in Cook County, many having experienced significant trauma and violence as part of their daily existence. The JTDC is the juvenile jail for Cook County, housing youth awaiting adjudication of their cases, as well…
A sample visual timeline capturing specific events in a client’s life for use as mitigation in different stages of a case, including: trial, disposition or post-disposition proceedings, sentencing, or parole advocacy.
Report to Colorado General Assembly on the State of the Youth Defense System in Colorado pursuant to House Join Resolution 13-1019, whose purpose was to “examine and make recommendations on current laws, procedures and practices for the appointment of counsel, advisement of rights and waivers of counsel for children in juvenile delinquency court.” This report…
