Q. XII.1 How can a youth obtain legal representation? What free
legal options may a youth pursue?
Q. XII.2 If a
youth is in a group home or foster care, can he/she
seek their own lawyer?
Q. XII.1 How can a youth obtain legal representation?
What free legal options may a youth pursue?
A. If a
young person has to appear in Family Court, a law
guardian will be appointed by the court to
represent him/her. In addition, there are a
limited number of free legal services available
to young people. Some places to start looking
are: Legal Aid, The Door (NYC), Statewide Youth
Advocacy (Albany). You may wish to call the Bar
Association in your community for information
about what services are available free of charge.
Q. XII.2 If a
youth is in a group home or foster care, can he/she
seek their own lawyer?
A. When a
youth first goes into foster care, a lawyer is
assigned to him/her. In New York City, these
lawyers usually work for either Lawyers for
Children or the Juvenile Rights Division of the
Legal Aid Society. Although there are other law
guardian programs in the state, many law
guardians are appointed directly by the Family
Court to represent the young person.
