Expenditures by District Map FY21
(c) THE PROCESS OF SELECTING, TRAINING, AND SUPPORTING ATTORNEYS WHO
REPRESENT CHILDREN IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY COURT;
Selection: In 2017, OADC established a Juvenile Division of attorneys who specialize in
defending youth, and it is committed to only allowing attorneys who have the requisite
knowledge, experience, and training to represent children.
Applications and interviews for the Juvenile Division assess an applicant's interest in
youth defense, experience, command of relevant case law, statutes, policies, and
standards, and understanding of social science research related to adolescent behavior
and development. Applicants are required to demonstrate an ability to provide holistic
defense to youth through multi-disciplinary teams which may include a social worker,
investigator, and education advocate. Applicants are further screened for a
commitment to best practices in youth defense (for example, strategies for effective
communication to build confidence and trust; the importance of engagement with the
youth's family and community if desired by the youth; and the need for frequent and
regular visits with the youth).
Youth in adult court are only assigned defenders with the experience and specific skills
needed for defending youth in adult court. Attorneys interested in developing such
expertise are encouraged to assist more experienced attorneys in these cases.
Training: The OADC co-sponsors an annual two-day youth defense specific conference
with the Colorado Juvenile Defender Center (CJDC), the Office of the Child's
Representative (OCR) and the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD). In addition,
the OADC co-sponsors the Colorado Juvenile Defense Manual with the CJDC, which is a
comprehensive practice manual currently in its 4th edition. The OADC analyzes youth
defense training needs based on inquiries directed to the Youth Defense Coordinator
and other OADC staff, both on an ad hoc basis and at regular contract renewal
interviews; issues raised by other stakeholders in the juvenile legal system (e.g. courts,
other attorneys, clients, probation); changes in law and policy; and observations of
attorneys' oral and written practice.
The Youth Defense Coordinator participates in various statewide initiatives involving
multiple stakeholders from across the juvenile legal system. Currently, the Youth
Defense Coordinator sits on Colorado's Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention
Advisory Council, Juvenile Justice Reform Committee (established by the Juvenile Justice
Reform Bill of 2019), Colorado Youth Detention Continuum/Interstate Compact
Advisory Board, Criteria for Detention and Commitment Committee, and Bridges
Program Statewide Steering Committee. This allows the Coordinator to be a conduit
between policy level juvenile legal system actors and the attorneys on the front lines of
youth defense.
Support: The full-time Youth Defense Coordinator is available to contractors for
questions, concerns, and connection to resources, and conducts monthly roundtable
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