Representation of Children in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases: An Empirical Look at What Constitutes Effective Representation

• NCJ Number: 111398
• Journal: University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (Winter 1987) Pages: 341-408
• Author(s): D N Duquette; S H Ramsey
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 68 pages
• Grant Number(s): 90-CA-868
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study indicates that trained demonstration groups of law students, lay volunteers, and attorneys improved the quality of representation and achieved preferred case outcomes in acting as advocates for children in civil protection proceedings compared to a control group of attorneys.

Abstract

The study trained the demonstration groups to act as aggressive advocates concerned with a broad range of the child's interests, both legal and nonlegal, and to provide continuous representation throughout the proceedings. The study compared the representation provided by the demonstration groups to that provided by a control group of attorneys who had received no special training and did not serve for the duration of the case. The demonstration groups differed significantly from the control group in the process of representing the child and in case outcomes. The demonstration representatives scored significantly higher on advocacy measures. A high advocacy score was related to more specific court orders for treatment and assessment and to an accelerated court process. There were few significant differences in process and outcomes among the three demonstration groups. The demonstration groups offer viable alternative types of child representation to policymakers. Appended study materials, 74 footnotes.