Juvenile Law Center

This brief argued that students have the right to counsel at the initial stage of a truancy proceeding under juvenile court jurisdiction.

Argued that the PA Juvenile Act authorizes child welfare courts to retain jurisdiction over foster children aged 18 to 21 and to order agencies to continue to serve those youth in a course of treatment or instruction.

Briefed the issue of right to counsel for juveniles and the procedures that must be brought to bear before waiver is granted.

Argued that imposing strict liability on a 12-year-old violates the US and Ohio Constitutions' guarantees of fundamental fairness, provides for highly disproportionate penalties and collateral consequences and creates a risk of prosecution based on personal views or biases.