The Need for Defense Counsel in the Juvenile Court

Abstract

Some experts in the juvenile field doubt whether lawyers have much to contribute in the children's courts. Most lawyers who appear in juvenile courts do not understand the proceedings, partly because of the paucity of law school courses on juvenile court proceedings. Lawyers could contribute a great deal if they were better educated in this field. The child has a right to coun sel, court-appointed when necessary; unless he has counsel to ad vise him properly, he does not have a true hearing. No one can better prevent abuses than an attorney who is there especially to look out for the interests of the child. "In the absence of counsel there is no assurance that the child will be heard at all fully."