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.

Publications and Resources

A Snapshot of Juvenile Sex Offender Registration and Notification Laws

The Juvenile Act 2008

Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure: Delinquency Matters

Performance Guidelines for Quality and Effective Juvenile Delinquency Representation

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.

State and Local Defender Sites

The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice releases its Recommendations on May 27, 2010

The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice was created in 2009 by an act of the General Assembly with the support of the Governor and the Supreme Court. Its purpose is to investigate circumstances that led to corruption in the juvenile court of Luzerne County resulting in federal criminal charges against two judges; to restore public confidence in the administration of justice, and to prevent similar events from occurring there or elsewhere in the Commonwealth.

The commission has 11 members. Four members, including the chair, are appointed by the Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. Three are appointed by the Governor. Four are appointed by leaders of the House and Senate. The commission is authorized to hold public hearings and, if necessary, to subpoena witnesses. It is required to file a final report to the Supreme Court, the Governor and the General Assembly by May 31, 2010.

Recommendations of the Juvenile Defenders Association of Pennsylvania to the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, “The Juvenile Indigent Defense Reform Initiative” (3/15/2010)
Title Page and Table of Contents
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Attachment 1

Recommendation of the Juvenile Law Center to the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, “Lessons from Luzerne County: Promoting Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Recommendations to the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice”

Testimony of JDAP Representatives before the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice (2/1/2010)