Juvenile Law

SLN #: 34770
Course Prefix: LAW-635
Course Section: 001
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor(s): Lemaire;O'Donnell-Smith
Course Books: View List of Books

Course Description:
This course will include an analysis of the legal and philosophical bases for a separate juvenile justice system as well as an examination of how the legal system deals with children. Juvenile delinquency will be a significant topic including: jurisdiction and disposition in the juvenile court, procedural differences between the delinquency process and the adult criminal process and the role of the lawyer in the juvenile court process. The other significant topic will be the juvenile dependency system and how the courts balance the need to protect children from abuse and neglect and their parents’ constitutional rights to parent. Issues arising out of the dependency system including permanent guardianships, adoptions, the overlap with family court and the Indian Child Welfare Act will also be discussed. Other general topics will be state enforced limitations on the liberty of minors (e.g., "status" offenses, child labor laws, driving privileges, juvenile curfews, etc.). The roles of lawyers in representing the various individuals and agencies will also be explored.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 2
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Written Assignment: 2 Short Papers
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: No
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: Yes
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Limited Enrollment Number: 15
Final Exam Given: No
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Teaching Method: In Person

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.