Juvenile Law Center promotes and protects the rights of children through the strategic use of litigation. We initiate and join in lawsuits that aim to expand procedural safeguards to protect juveniles involved with the courts and detention systems. We use litigation to reform laws, practices and procedures that fail to achieve the best possible outcomes for young offenders. Juvenile Law Center engages in both direct representation and joins in litigation as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in cases that will have a major impact on the rights of youth. Cases are pursued at all levels in both the federal and state court systems. Our participation in litigation helps ensure that decisions about children are informed by the most up-to-date and informed thinking on the rights and best interests of children.
Featured: Luzerne County Juvenile Court Investigation
In early 2007, Juvenile Law Center attorneys began to investigate irregularities in Luzerne County, as they heard from youth who were found guilty in the County juvenile court. Juvenile Law Center found that hundreds of youth had been tried, convicted and, in many cases, placed in residential programs—all without the benefit of counsel.
In April, 2008, Juvenile Law Center filed an application with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, asking it to provide relief for those youth. The Court denied the application on January 8, 2009, but reconsidered—in response to Juvenile Law Center’s pleadings of January 29—in the wake of the disclosure that two Luzerne County judges had been involved in a pattern of corruption.
FOR MORE
Juvenile Law Center’s Luzerne County Update Center—the latest news, media, and resources, and documents surrounding the juvenile court injustice.
Luzerne County Court House. Photo by Cresny.
Types of Litigation We Use
Friend of the Court
Amicus Curiae
Juvenile Law Center promotes the legal interests of children by authoring and filing amicus curiae (friend of the court) briefs in state and federal appellate courts. Juvenile Law Center files its own briefs and participates as co-amici in cases of particular importance. In recent years, Juvenile Law Center has filed briefs in numerous state appellate courts, federal courts of appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Promoting Justice
Direct Litigation
Juvenile Law Center serves as lead counsel or co-counsel in state and federal cases at the trial or appellate level, to promote and protect the rights and interests of children. We believe that justice can be promoted by procedural safeguards, which help ensure that decisions about children are better informed, more accurate and most appropriate.
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Recent Litigation
Argued that a provision in New Mexico state law allowing juveniles to be sentenced by juvenile court judges as adults if the judge found them “not amenable to treatment” was unconstitutional under the Sixth Amendment.
Involved three teenage girls being prosecuted for "sexting," the practice of sending nude or semi-nude photographs via text message on cell phones.
Supporting a juvenile defendant in Illinois who challenged the representation he received in court, when his defense lawyer sacrificed his defense believing that it was in the child’s “best interests”.
This brief argued that students have the right to counsel at the initial stage of a truancy proceeding under juvenile court jurisdiction.
JLC argues that life sentences without the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of non-homicide crimes are unconstitutional.
JLC challenges the constitutionality of Act 53, a Pennsylvania statute which permits minors to be involuntarily committed for substance abuse treatment.
Argued that a provision in New Mexico state law allowing juveniles to be sentenced by juvenile court judges as adults if the judge found them “not amenable to treatment” was unconstitutional under the Sixth Amendment
