Juvenile Justice Studies Cited in New York Times Editorial

Forty years ago, in its historic decision in Gideon v. Wainwright, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that in order to ensure equal justice in criminal cases states must provide a lawyer for people who cannot afford to hire one. This is a principle that is especially important for juvenile defendents, who are least likely to understand their constitutional rights.

But OSI grantee the American Bar Association reports, in new studies, that juvenile defendants are regular victims of "conveyer belt justice" and often have woefully inadequate representation.

A New York Times editorial on November 3, 2003 calls for reform. (The New York Times website requires registration.)