Argued that a child who is wishes to file an appeal through counsel should have the right to do so, regardless of the position of any other party to the proceeding, including a guardian ad litem.
Argued that children in dependency proceedings are entitled to attorneys who owe the same duty of confidentiality to their child-clients as they do to an adult client.
Argued that Pennsylvania’s mandatory sentencing scheme, which requires any juvenile convicted of first or second degree murder to be sentenced to life without parole, is unconstitutional pursuant to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Miller v. Alabama.
Argued that Section (a)(4) of the Criminal History Records Information Act (18 Pa.C.S.A. § 9123(a)(4)) is unconstitutional on its face and as applied to the extent that it permits expungements to be denied solely on the basis of the Commonwealth’s refusal to consent, even in the absence of any evidence proffered by the Commonwealth and when all other statutory criteria are met.
Argued that due process is violated when a judge uses his independent knowledge about a youth’s child welfare history and involvement, including past misconduct, as evidence to adjudicate the youth delinquent in the juvenile justice system.
Argued that failure of the court to address the issue of competency – on its own or otherwise -- violates the due process clause of the United States Constitution as well as Georgia law.
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