In the Interest of J.F.

Juvenile Law Center co-counseled an appeal challenging, inter alia, a juvenile court’s refusal to allow a jury to determine whether a child committed a delinquent offense. In its appeal Juvenile Law Center argued that a juvenile is entitled to request a jury trial in juvenile court when 1) the protective features of the juvenile court have been largely eliminated by statutory amendments; and 2) a delinquency adjudication would lead to an automatic adult status upon his next arrest for a designated offense. The Superior Court affirmed the trial court’s determination of delinquency and stated that the juvenile’s due process rights had not been violated by the denial of a jury right.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court, as well as the United States Supreme Court, denied review.