Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center
The child ‘requires the guiding hand of counsel at every step in
the proceedings against him.’
In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1(1967)
MAJDC Blogs the Virginia Legislative Session
Who We Are
Upcoming Events - MAJDC is
a sponsor of the Girl Trouble Forum taking place at the University of Richmond
School of Law, Moot Court Room, on Thursday, May 15th from
7 – 9 pm. “Girl Trouble” is an award-winning documentary
dramatizing the challenges facing girls in the juvenile justice system. There
will be a free film screening of “Girl Trouble” followed by a
panel discussion moderated by the Honorable Angela E. Roberts, Chief Judge
of the Richmond Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. A dessert
reception follows the event.
13th annual Juvenile
Law and Education Conference, “Representing the Whole Child," to
be held May 16, 2008. Registration form now available.
Publications
Support the Center (PDF format)
Welcome to the website of the Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center (MAJDC). Located at the University fo Richmond School of Law, the MAJDC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to change the culture of juvenile justice by ensuring excellence in juvenile defense and promoting justice for all children in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Puerto Rico, Virginia and West Virginia. We are a regional affiliate of the National Juvenile Defender Center in Washington, D.C.
Statement of Beliefs
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 racial, ethnic, gender, social, and economic bias;
- 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.
Our Goals
The Mid-Atlantic 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
- 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.
Networking
Hundreds of juvenile defenders, academics and advocates participate in the Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center e-mail listserv. The listserv is used to post juvenile defense related events, issues, and news items form the region, and is used for case consultation and other questions.
Please visit the National Juvenile Defender Center Web site at www.njdc.info/listservs.php, which has a form to submit if you would like to join any of the regional listservs.
State Information
Maryland
Virginia
West Virginia
Washington, D.C.
Puerto Rico
Related Links
ABA Juvenile Justice Center
Building Blocks for Youth
Juvenile Law Center
National Juvenile Defender Center
U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention