Issue Brief-Juvenile Defense Standards: A Framework for the Specialized Representation of Youth

The Supreme Court’s 1967 ruling in In re Gault established the right for all children to have counsel in delinquency proceedings, but the nature of that right has often been unclear or misunderstood, even by some juvenile defenders charged with protecting the liberty and interests of their young clients. Juvenile defense standards provide juvenile defenders with clarity about their multi-faceted ethical duties and professional responsibilities in representing young clients. Defenders who have clear guidance on their duties and responsibilities can strengthen their own individual practice, protect their clients’ due process rights, work effectively on collaborative justice issues, and advocate for systemic reforms that elevate the practice of juvenile defense across jurisdictions.