A white paper by the National Juvenile Defender Center asserts that while juvenile defenders are a critical protection against injustice, they face a unique set of challenges when working to engage a young client in the court process, ensure timely appointment of counsel, and prevent waiver of critical rights. The paper asserts that a juvenile defender must specialize in two unique areas: 1) adolescent development and communication; and 2) the intricacies of the juvenile court process. The paper seeks to raise awareness among legal practitioners about the often challenging landscape of juvenile defense. The National Juvenile Defender Center works to ensure excellence in juvenile defense and provides direct support and resources to juvenile defenders.
