Policy Tool
Infographic on the harms of supervision fees on young people.
Most states do not set a minimum age of prosecution in juvenile court. And although common sense knowledge of child development1 and international standards2 compel removal of younger children from the juvenile legal system, states have yet to heed the call. Because younger children are inherently more vulnerable,3 they should not be subject to the…
This publication covers the ways in which the collateral consequences of juvenile court involvement and the longevity and availability of juvenile court records directly interfere with the very things that help young people succeed.
A list covering states that ban shackling young people and those that do not.
As juvenile defense system stakeholders consider creating or reforming their contract counsel system, it is important to start with a full understanding of the contracting process and system. The considerations and recommendations provided within this publication may need to be modified for the specifics of your jurisdiction.
Young people facing delinquency charges need and deserve full access to high-quality, zealous defense representation, regardless of where they live. Even in counties with public defenders, at least some of the attorneys appointed to represent youth in delinquency court are engaged through a contract or other court-appointment system. It is, therefore, imperative that policymakers, defense…
A guide to states that ban indiscriminate shackling of young people and those that do not.
Los Diez Principios Fundamentales Para Prestar Representación Legal de Alta Cali dad a Delincuentes Juveniles dentro del Sistema de Defensores Públicos provee el criterio para implementar al sistema de defensores públicos la decisión de la corte en el caso In re Gault. Estos Principios son una guía para que los directores de las oficinas de…
The National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) performed a qualitative study to better understand bail practices in juvenile courts at the local level, and to ensure juvenile money bail is included in the national movement on bail reform. NJDC emailed an electronic survey to a select number of juvenile defenders from all 50 states, the District…
This tool is designed to provide guidance for managers and supervisors in juvenile defender organizations to identify, develop, and promote strategies and interventions that will heighten the level of advocacy aimed at minimizing the detention of juveniles.
Infographic on the importance of specialized youth defense practice.
The National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) conducted a national survey on the practice and enforcement of supervision fees assessed for a child’s time on juvenile probation. Juvenile defenders and juvenile probation officers from the 50 states and D.C. were interviewed by NJDC legal staff to uncover the prevalence and impact of supervision fee practices on…
An infographic outlining steps towards a more effective juvenile defense system.
The Snapshot is based on a state-by-state analysis of the statutes that govern children’s access to counsel and interviews with juvenile defenders about how statutes and court rules translate into practice. The interviews were conducted with attorneys in urban and rural areas to explore differences in practices and resources. In total, 70 interviews were completed…
