A very good friend and colleague of mine, Grace Bauer, has a son who has been involved in the system for over a decade.  The following is a list that she devised of things to do and not to do when you have a court involved child.



Juvenile Court:

  *     Never  plead guilty; get an attorney, protect your child's rights.
  *     Remain silent; get an attorney and protect your child's rights.
  *     People in suits with long, impressive titles and college degrees do not know more about your child than you do.
  *     Your are the best judge of your child's strengths and weaknesses.
  *     Children usually do much better at home with services than locked up on a correctional institution.
  *     People running institutions and juvenile courts do not necessarily have your child's best interest at heart; get an
         attorney, protect your child's rights.
  *     People in suits with long, impressive titles and college degrees sometimes make mistakes.
  *     Get an attorney and protect your child's rights.  This is not the job of anyone in the system;  it is solely on YOU
         as the parent.

Adult Court:

  *     Never  plead guilty; get an attorney,  protect your child's rights.
  *     Make the state prove their case.
  *     Visit your child regularly.  If you can't visit, write frequently.
  *     Stay in touch with the prison chaplain.
  *     Encourage your child to prepare for a day when he/she is free.
  *     Keep your child updated on family issues and happenings.

Overall:

  *     Never give up!
  *     Document everything.