Juvenile Defense Attorneys and Family Engagement: Same Team, Different Roles

The juvenile court system is a very complicated and confusing place for anyone who does not regularly work within it. Court involvement can be a extremely stressful process in which children and their families feel like they are being judged and imposed upon at every turn. For all the reasons outlined in this fact sheet, a good partnership with a child’s juvenile defender can often help lead to the best outcomes for youth and families. At a minimum, good partnership should empower them.

Youth need effective counsel to help them navigate the many decisions they will be asked to make, with an understanding and appreciation of the risks and benefits of each decision. Parents too often need an ally who can help them understand the process and better aid their child at all phases of court involvement. When the goal is helping the child, parents and juvenile defenders are players on the same team, they simply have different roles.