Juvenile indigent defense

Meaningful access to legal counsel for all youth

Young people in trouble with the law have a right to legal counsel, but they frequently don’t get the timely or adequate representation they need. Many youth waive their constitutional right to counsel and accept plea offers without fully understanding their actions. Too often, even those who do have lawyers are inadequately represented, because of defenders’ high caseloads, inexperience, and lack of training and resources.

In each of the four core states, Models for Change is working to improve access to and quality of counsel for every young person who enters the juvenile justice system. Statewide assessments of the juvenile indigent defense systems in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Louisiana, and Washington have already been conducted, and technical assistance and trainings have been offered. The Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Networ k is working to support and spread efforts to improve juvenile defense policy and practice in the core states and four additional partner states.

Through assessments, training and technical support, Models for Change promotes meaningful access for legal counsel for all youth.

Reform Progress

National Symposium Highlights Juvenile Indigent Defense: Mar 9, 2010, Rey Banks, National Juvenile Defender Center
Illinois Models for Change Leader Honored as Faculty Member of the Year at Loyola University Chicago: Mar 1, 2010, Illinois Models for Change
Illinois Governor Taps Models for Change Leaders to Help Shape Juvenile Justice Policy: Feb 24, 2010, Illinois Models for Change

More Reform Progress Items »

Newsroom

Illinois Governor Quinn Names Acting Juvenile Justice Director: 7/16/2010 by Office of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn
What Happens in Juvenile Court, Doesn't Always Stay in Juvenile Court - The Myths and Realities about Juvenile Records and Expungements: 7/15/2010 by The Jurisdiction - Allegheny County Probation; by Judge Kim Clark
Commission reveals truth, recommendations should be adopted: 5/30/2010 by Times Tribune

More News Items »

Publications

Juvenile Justice Update: The Legal Defense of Juveniles: Struggling But Pushing Forward
Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences Checklist - Poster: The purpose of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences Checklist…
Juvenile Court Training Curriculum, 2nd Ed.: Intended for juvenile court judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and…

More publications »

Contacts

Pacific Juvenile Defender Center: (415) 543-3379 ext. 3924
TeamChild: (206) 322-2444
Center for Families, Children & the Courts: 415-865-7739
Human Rights Watch: (310) 477-5540