Pennsylvania Juvenile Defenders

Website made possible with the generous support of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Northeast Regional Defender Center

In order to increase the capacity of the grassroots juvenile defense bar across the country, the National Center incorporated into its design the development of nine Regional Defender Centers. The Northeast Region includes the following four states: Delaware, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Helpful Links

Juvenile Law Center
National Juvenile Defender Center
The Juvenile Act of PA

State and Local Defender Sites

Girls Programs

A good girls treatment program should have the following characteristics

Whenever possible the program should be single gender or all female
Females should be treated in the least restrictive environment (balance between treatment needs and public safety)
All treatment programs should focus on treatment modalities based on or consistent with specific principles of female development
Treatment programs should be prepared to address the unique needs of parenting and pregnant young woman
Equality for services for girls and boys does not mean that they have to be identical

Services for Girls cannot be viewed in isolation but must be on a continuum

Prevention services
Early Intervention and Diversion Services
Juvenile Justice and Intervention Services

Creative programming should be utilized to help girls gain a sense of self worth and increase their self-esteem

Yoga
Outdoor activities such as hiking, biking
Girls mentoring one another
Sports

Model Girlâ€™s Programs