Guiding Principles
“From a moral standpoint it would be misguided to equate the failings of a minor with those of an adult, for a greater possibility exists that a minor’s character deficiencies will be reformed.”
-Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551, 570 (2005)
NJDC’s work is framed by a set of Guiding Principles to ensure fidelity to a set of common values rooted in law and science. These Guiding Principles are:
- Juvenile defenders play a critical role in the fair administration of justice for children;
- Juvenile defense is a specialized practice anchored in juvenile-specific training and practice skills;
- Juvenile defense requires zealous advocacy;
- Juvenile defense requires competence and proficiency in court rules and the law;
- Juvenile defense requires legal representation that is individualized;
- Juvenile defense requires representation that is developmentally appropriate;
- Juvenile defense is based on the clients’ expressed interests;
- Juvenile defense requires that clients be meaningful participants in their defense;
- Juvenile defense includes counseling clients through the legal and extralegal processes;
- Juvenile defense includes ensuring that clients and their families are treated with dignity and respect and that there is decorum in the courtroom;
- Systemic barriers and deficiencies impair juvenile defender’s abilities to provide high-quality representation; and
- Systemic barriers and deficiencies lead to disproportionate representation of vulnerable, underserved populations at every contact with and stage of the juvenile delinquency court process.