The National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) was created in 1999
to respond to the critical need to build the capacity of the juvenile
defense bar and to improve access to counsel and quality of representation
for children in the justice system. In 2005, the National Juvenile Defender
Center separated from the American Bar Association to become an independent organization. NJDC gives juvenile defense attorneys a more permanent capacity
to address practice issues, improve advocacy skills, build partnerships,
exchange information, and participate in the national debate over
juvenile crime.
NJDC provides support to public defenders, appointed counsel, law
school clinical programs and non-profit law centers to ensure quality
representation in urban, suburban, rural and tribal areas. NJDC
offers a wide range of integrated services to juvenile defenders,
including training, technical assistance, advocacy, networking,
collaboration, capacity building and coordination.
NJDC Mission and Vision Statement
To ensure excellence in juvenile defense and promote justice for all children.
We believe that:
- All children in the justice system must have ready and timely access to skilled, well-resourced, well-trained legal counsel;
- All children are entitled to constitutional and statutory protections;
- All children are entitled to legal representation that is: client-centered; individualized; developmentally and age appropriate; and free of bias;
- All children have strengths and the potential to become productive members of society;
- The juvenile defense bar must build its capacity, develop leadership and demonstrate a commitment to professionalism;
- The juvenile defense bar must promote accountability and bring about reform in the juvenile justice system;
- The juvenile defense bar’s role in the justice system is advanced through collaboration and partnership; and,
- The juvenile defense system is enhanced by greater community involvement.
The National Juvenile Defender Center works to create
an environment in which:
- Children are treated with respect, dignity and fairness;
- Juvenile courts are knowledgeable, sensitive and responsive to the needs of children;
- Excellence is routine in juvenile defense;
- Juvenile defenders have the capacity to fully protect children’s rights, including adequate resources and compensation, manageable caseloads, and sufficient access to investigation, expert and other ancillary and administrative support;
- Juvenile defenders have resources and compensation on par with juvenile prosecutors and adult defenders; and
- The representation of children is specialized and adequate opportunities exist for juvenile defenders to fully exercise and enhance their legal, management, research and advocacy skills.
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NJDC Board of Directors
Wallace Mlyniec, President
Georgetown University Law Center
Angela Vigil, Treasurer
Baker & McKenzie, LLP
Patricia Puritz, ex officio
National Juvenile Defender Center
Jacqueline Baillargeon
Juvenile and Criminal Justice Consultant
Randy Hertz
New York University School of Law
Ryan Myers
Pretlow Myers Financial Group
Bridgett Ortega, Secretary
The John Marshall Law School
Abbe Smith
Georgetown University Law Center
John J. Wilson
Institute for Intergovernmental Research
Gerald Gault
Honorary Member |
NJDC Staff
Patricia Puritz
Executive Director
Mary Ann Scali
Deputy Director
Timothy Curry
Managing Attorney
Nadia Seeratan
Senior Staff Attorney & Policy Advocate
Rey Cheatham Banks
Senior Policy and Communications Associate
Sarah Bergen
Staff Attorney
Sonia Slone
Office Manager
Jaime Michel
Research Associate
Vanice Dunn
Project Assistant
Latonya Winston
Receptionist
David Shapiro
Gault Fellow Equity Project
Christina Gilbert, Director |
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