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 capable, well-resourced, well-trained legal
counsel;
- All children are entitled to legal representation that is: individualized; developmentally and age appropriate; and free of bias based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and immigration or socio-economic status;
- All children have strengths and the potential to become
productive members of society and each has the right to
constitutional and statutory protections;
- 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
will be advanced through collaboration and partnership;
and
- The juvenile defense system will be 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 pay parity 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, political, organizational, research
and advocacy skills.
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NJDC Board of Directors
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Marsha Levick, President
Juvenile Law Center
Angela Vigil, Secretary
Baker & McKenzie, LLP
Patricia Puritz, ex officio
National Juvenile Defender Center
Gerald Gault
Honorary Member
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Wallace Mlyniec, Treasurer
Georgetown University Law Center
Bridgett Ortega
Building Better Bridges Consulting
Abbe Smith
Georgetown University Law Center
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NJDC Staff
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Patricia Puritz
Executive Director
Robin Walker Sterling
Special Counsel
Nadia Seeratan
Senior Policy Advocate
Sarah Bergen
Staff Attorney
Jaime Michel
Research Associate
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Mary Ann Scali
Deputy Director
Rey Cheatham Banks
Senior Policy and Communications Associate
Angela Muse
Executive/Project Assistant
Sonia Slone
Office Manager
Latonya Winston
Receptionist
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