New Hampshire Public Defenders to provide legal advice on youth assessment process 

New Hampshire Public Defenders to provide legal advice on youth assessment process

Introduction

Before any charges are filed against a child in New Hampshire in juvenile court, parents and children are asked the same question each time: Would you like to participate in the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment? Most need a little explanation before they decide. The questionnaire allows youth to share more of their story – anything from family history with substance abuse to hobbies outside of school. And often times, the detailed narrative the assessment provides can be the deciding factor in whether a child goes to court or is diverted away from the justice system. Most families choose to participate. About a quarter decline.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. They aim to address the world’s most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. The SDGs provide a framework for countries and organizations to work towards sustainable development and ensure that no one is left behind.

Legal Counsel for Youth in the Juvenile Justice Assessment Process

Starting last month, the state Public Defender’s office started assisting families with the assessments as they move their way through the legal process with their child. On July 1, a two-year, $100,000 contract approved by the Executive Council went into effect to provide legal counsel for youth in the juvenile justice assessment process. The goal of these assessments and advice? Keep kids who don’t need to be in court, out.

Impact of the Assessments

Since introducing the universal assessment tool in October of 2021, state data shows that 72 percent of the time, the assessment recommends a community referral for the child, instead of court involvement. These community referrals include participation in community services, like the Boys and Girls Club or YMCA, mental health counseling, a diversion program or an at-home program through the Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health like FAST Forward. These external options mean that children often can access resources they need, without having to go through the court system. Particularly for first-time offenders, kids who never had previous interactions with the justice system and simply made a mistake, it can be a make-or-break alternative.

Role of New Hampshire Public Defenders

Now, the New Hampshire Public Defender’s attorneys can help explain the varying outcomes of participating or not and more about how the assessment will be used. “Kids, parents are often skeptical of the system, especially if they’ve had any involvement, which oftentimes they have,” said Jones. Legislative efforts in 2022 changed the court process so that families could opt to participate in the assessment after arriving in court and receiving a defense attorney. Now, Jones hopes that New Hampshire Public Defender guidance will help clarify the process before they arrive in the courthouse. Oftentimes, a lack of information or fear that the assessment would backfire on them, bringing additional charges (which does not happen), were inherent barriers to participating, according to Jones. The New Hampshire Public Defender solely provides legal counsel to youth clients, however, both the parent and child have to consent to the assessment process.

Conclusion

The introduction of legal counsel for youth in the juvenile justice assessment process aims to ensure that children who don’t need to go to court are diverted away from the justice system. By providing legal advice and clarifying the assessment process, the New Hampshire Public Defenders are working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of promoting justice, reducing inequalities, and ensuring access to legal assistance for all. This initiative aligns with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Sources:

1. New Hampshire Public Defenders to provide legal advice on youth assessment process
2. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

1. The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are:

– SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. The specific targets under SDG 16 that can be identified based on the article’s content are:

– Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. The indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are:

– The percentage of children who participate in the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment.

– The percentage of children who are diverted away from the justice system through community referrals.

– The number of children helped annually with the funding for legal counsel in the juvenile justice assessment process.

4. Table:

| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |

|——|———|————|

| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | – The percentage of children who participate in the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment.
– The percentage of children who are diverted away from the justice system through community referrals.
– The number of children helped annually with the funding for legal counsel in the juvenile justice assessment process. |

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Source: concordmonitor.com

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