JUVENILE DEFENDER CLINIC

Duration: Full year course
Credits: 8 credits (4 credits per semester/letter grade)

Students in this clinic represent children (ages 7-17) charged with delinquency offenses in the Boston Juvenile Court.  Clinic students also provide representation in proceedings that are related to or arise out of the delinquency proceeding such as probation revocation proceedings, school suspension or expulsion hearings and special education hearings.

Students taking this clinic will learn all aspects of juvenile/criminal defense.  Specifically, students will handle a broad range of representation.  This range will include: initial interview of clients and witnesses, conducting full investigations, motion and discovery practice and plea negotiations. Court appearances that students will conduct will include everything from bail hearings, pre-trial hearings, and trial to disposition.  Students will also have opportunities to represent their clients in ancillary hearings such as probation violation hearings, school suspension hearings, and special education hearings.  Skills learned in this clinic will prove valuable in every area of legal practice.

The JJC uses a multi-disciplinary approach to delinquency representation.  In addition to providing zealous defense of the charges, students will work with a licensed mental health clinician to identify a client’s strengths and needs, and with an education attorney to assist in ensuring that appropriate and necessary educational services are provided.  Students will have the opportunity to work with the JJCs clinician and education attorney as part of an interdisciplinary defense team.

Students are required to spend a minimum of one full day per week in the juvenile court or at the clinical offices.  Additional time may be required on a case by case basis.  Students will be assigned to either a Tuesday or Wednesday “duty day” on which they will be required to appear in court, either to arraign new cases and/or to appear for ongoing cases.  Every effort will be made to accommodate students’ preferences for a Tuesday or Wednesday duty day, however some students may have to arrange their academic schedule to accommodate their court schedule.  Students must also attend a two hour weekly class at the law school and meet with their clinical supervisor to discuss cases and their clinic experiences at least weekly.  The classroom component consists of lectures, demonstrations and simulations that are focused on the substantive and procedural law that governs delinquency and related proceedings, practice in the juvenile court, trial skills, basic criminal procedure and adolescent  development.  Although evidence is the only prerequisite, completion of course in Trial Practice, Children and the Law I & II and Criminal Procedure are recommended.  Preference is given to students in their final year and those students who have taken recommended courses. 

Questions:Contact Ken King at kking@suffolk.edu or

                             KimMcLaurin at kmmclaurin@legal-aid.org