Breaking the Cycle: Erin Now age 17, Erin’s struggle with substances began early–marijuana at 12 followed by benzodiazepines, cocaine, and eventually fentanyl. Over the past two years, addiction had wound tightly into her daily existence, despite multiple attempts at treatment: three stays at a youth detox facility, an inpatient hospitalization, and months of outpatient therapy….
Tag: Juvenile Court
Care and Protection
Protecting a Vulnerable Child: Kyle and Sheila Johnson Kyle and Sheila Johnson, both 33, were court ordered to the Juvenile Court Clinic for Care and Protection (C&P) Parenting evaluations after their 17-month-old daughter, Caroline, was found to have fractures in both legs consistent with nonaccidental trauma. The couple was divorcing, and Caroline had been placed…
Care and Protection
Breaking the Cycle of System Failures: Jessica Jessica, 17, appeared before the Juvenile Court following a Care and Protection (C&P) petition citing serious concerns about her mental health and serious neglect at home. The judge referred her for a Juvenile Court Clinic evaluation. Four months earlier, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) had removed…
Competency to Stand Trial
Bridging the Gap—Helping a Child Understand the Court Process: Manny Manny, a 14-year-old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), became involved with the Juvenile Court following a domestic assault and battery charge against his mother. She had contacted police during a violent incident at home in which he became aggressive toward her. When he appeared at…
Competency to Stand Trial
Delinquency Behavior Successfully Redirected: Rafael Rafael, 16, had left school and quit basketball. While associating with older peers, he had accumulated delinquency charges, escalating from trespassing and possession of burglarious tools to armed robbery. At the Juvenile Court hearing, his attorney wondered whether Rafael understood the legal process and requested a Competency to Stand Trial…
Delinquency
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Matthew Matthew, 17, became involved with the Juvenile Court due to Delinquency charges of assault and battery and assault and battery on a public employee. Matthew’s charges stemmed from an incident in which he punched another student several times in a school bathroom and pushed a teacher who intervened….
Massachusetts Alliance of Juvenile Court Clinics (MAJCC) 