Dilemma of Duties: The Conflicted Role of Juvenile Defenders

The role of a juvenile defender is complex, involving conflict and confusion due to clients' lack of life experience and underdeveloped decision-making abilities. Anne M. Corbin's study "Dilemma of Duties" explores the role of defense counsel in juvenile courts in North Carolina, where counselors must advocate for their clients' wishes, even if they do not agree it is in their best interest. The study highlights patterns of role conflict and its impact on counselors and clients, as well as the influence of juvenile court culture and the lack of resources for defenders. Understanding how juvenile defenders define their role and experience role conflict provides valuable insights into the juvenile justice system, emphasizing the importance of training and practices for juvenile court functionaries and the efficacy, credibility, and legitimacy of the system.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2018
Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press

The role of a juvenile defender is a complex and challenging one, as clients are often uniquely challenging due to their lack of life experience and underdeveloped decision-making abilities. In her book "Dilemma of Duties," Anne M. Corbin examines the distinct function of defense counsel in juvenile courts, highlighting the common presence of role conflict and confusion, even among defenders in jurisdictions that have clearly defined their role. This study specifically focuses on juvenile defense attorneys in North Carolina, where it is mandated that counselors advocate for their clients' wishes, even if they do not agree it is in the client's best interest.

Corbin outlines patterns of role conflict that defenders experience, detailing its impact on counselors and clients within the juvenile justice system. She also addresses the powerful influence of the juvenile court culture and the lack of resources for defenders, which further exacerbates the challenges they face. Tasked with guiding these children, counselors frequently must contend with and manage their clients' general distrust of adults, as they attempt to serve as their voices to the court.

Understanding how juvenile defenders define their role and experience role conflict provides valuable insights into our juvenile justice system, particularly its role in upholding due process rights. Such knowledge points to the importance of the training and practices of juvenile court functionaries and the efficacy, credibility, and legitimacy of the juvenile justice system itself.

In conclusion, the role of a juvenile defender is fraught with conflict and challenges, as clients are often uniquely challenging due to their lack of life experience and underdeveloped decision-making abilities. Corbin's book "Dilemma of Duties" provides valuable insights into the distinct function of defense counsel in juvenile courts, highlighting the common presence of role conflict and confusion, even among defenders in jurisdictions that have clearly defined their role. By understanding how juvenile defenders define their role and experience role conflict, we can better appreciate the importance of the training and practices of juvenile court functionaries and the efficacy, credibility, and legitimacy of the juvenile justice system itself.

Weight: 394g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780809336647