Contextualizing the Impact of Legal Representation on Juvenile Delinquency Outcomes: A Review of Research and Policy

This study examines the empirical research on legal representation in delinquency proceedings and situates it broader investigation of how states provide assistance to juvenile defendants. Our review studies found that attorney presence was an aggravating factor dispositional decisions. After closely examining state statutory provisions proceedings, we suggest penalty effect is artifact variation laws governing access oversight counsel. We conclude with suggestions for future research, policy, practice.