The Lawyer's Role at Intake and Detention Stages of Juvenile Court Proceedings

The coming increase in attorney representation of children in juvenile court cases requires careful analysis of the lawyer's role at each major stage of the juvenile court process. Intake and detention are preliminary stages of considerable importance, in volving determinations as to which cases shall be referred for formal disposition and which cases require secure custody of the child pending hearing. Lawyers can play both traditional and special "defense counsel" roles in these stages.