Juvenile Law

Catalog description

Juvenile Law examines the intersection of the child, parent, and the state in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Topics will include: the state's role in protecting children from maltreatment, the rights of parents and children, the child's experience, the child-parent relationship, the impact of trauma on outcomes for children and families, restorative and procedural justice in juvenile law, and systematic racism, disproportionality, and educational disparities for children and youth. This course includes observing Lancaster County Juvenile Court hearings and interacting with attorneys, professionals, and individuals with lived juvenile court experience. A culmination of the course includes a simulated juvenile court hearing where students are assigned the role of county attorney, parent's attorney, guardian ad litem or youth attorney. To prepare for the simulation, students will research the legal issues and proposed arguments for their client. The actual simulation will take place at the Lancaster County Juvenile courthouse where students will argue their position to the judge. Students will also analyze and reflect on their peers' simulated cases.