This presentation will provide a broad overview of a defender’s ethical obligations when representing youth in delinquency court. We will cover the philosophical approach to representation of youth and discuss the various statutes, rules of court, and ethical rules which govern that representation. The training will be highly practical, with ethical principles illustrated through the use of hypotheticals presenting common challenges in the representation of youth. It will also be interactive, with audience members being asked to share their knowledge, experience and perspective about the hypotheticals.
Topics may include best interests vs. stated interests representation; confidentiality; client communication; client safety; representation of youth with competency issues; and post-disposition representation, including representation of youth in secure youth treatment facilities.
This presentation will be certified for 1.5 hours of State Bar ethics MCLE.
Jonathan Laba
Michael Richardson