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Juvenile Defense-New WIC 602 Rules of Court effective 7/1/23

There are new and amended Welfare & Institutions Code section 602 Rules of Court which are effective as of July 1, 2023, including:

Deletion of language referring to DJJ, which fully closes 6/30/23
Further clarification that youth defenders’ ethical obligation is expressed-interests representation, not best interests, consistent with WIC §634.3 (Rule 5.663)
Rule governing secure track commitments, Individual Rehabilitation Plans, and six-month SYTF reviews (Rule 5.804)
Rule establishing a “matrix” for secure track commitments, including establishing a baseline range of years for every SYTF-eligible offense; factors for the court to consider in establishing the baseline; and reducing the baseline at six-month reviews (Rule 5.806, with an excellent Advisory Committee Comment)
Six month review process, including baseline time cuts, “step downs” to less restrictive programs, and violations (Rule 5.807)
SYTF discharge hearings, including baseline extensions under the “substantial risk of imminent harm to others” standard, and probation violations after discharge (Rule 5.808)

You can find a summary of these rules HERE.

Wanted: SDAP Staff Attorney

SDAP is currently accepting applications from individuals interested in working as a full-time staff attorney. Employment will begin this summer. Like the rest of the SDAP staff, this position is subject to a hybrid work model, meaning that the employee must work at least two days per week (including Thursdays) at SDAP’s office; the remainder of the time, the employee can work remotely. Click here to read more on how to apply.

LA County Superior Court seeks attorneys to represent indigent defendants in Appellate Division

The Los Angeles County Superior Court Appellate Division is looking for lawyers interested in joining the panel of appointed attorneys to represent indigent defendants appealing misdemeanor decisions.

To qualify for the panel, an attorney must be members in good standing of the California Bar, have a strong background in research and writing, have a thorough understanding of criminal law and procedure, be knowledgeable about the appeals process, including the California Rules of Court and the local rules of the Los Angeles County Superior Court governing misdemeanor appeals, and agree to abide by PACE policies and protocols.

Send a cover letter, resume and two writing samples to:
Presiding Judge Patti Jo McKay, Appellate Division, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, Room 607, Los Angeles County Superior Court, 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles. CA 90020 Attn: Aida (Evelyn) Vallejo.

CADC’s forced entry into 21st Century technology continued this month with our hosting of the Executive Directors and representatives from each of the five appellate projects for our first-ever online CADC Project Directors’ Roundtable held on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

For defense attorneys who were not able to attend it live, we are providing this LINK where the recording can be viewed free of charge. You do not need to be a member of CADC to view it, but you do need to register, provide your state bar number, and certify that you are not a member of a prosecutorial agency or an employee of the courts. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information on how to join. Please submit any questions to: CADCzoom@gmail.com.