Product Description

Practice in the Juvenile Court is uniquely challenging. The stakes are high, and the representation has far-reaching effect. Whether you represent children and their families in care and protection proceedings, juvenile delinquency, or matters concerning children requiring assistance, you are all too familiar with the urgency felt by your clients, and the burden you carry when they turn to you to navigate them through this process. Juvenile Court judges deal with the issues presented in your cases in various ways, and they are given broad discretion to do so. This program identifies the factors which the panelists consider in reaching decisions, and includes practice tips for the attorneys on both sides of the case. The expert panel of judges is presented with several issues—those that arise in delinquency matters and child welfare matters—and asked to address those factors that play into their decision making.

Attorneys from all levels of experience benefit from hearing directly from the judges in this fast-paced format. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain invaluable insight into the judicial perspective, and be better prepared the next time you walk into court!

Agenda & Materials

• 2:00 pm – 2:05 pm

  Welcome and Introduction

  on demand video Add to Cart

  J.W. Carney, Jr., Esq., Carney, Gaudet & Carney , Boston
  
• 2:05 pm – 2:20 pm

  The Setting of Bail

  on demand video Add to Cart

  The Supreme Judicial Court announced new considerations for the setting of bail in Brangan v. Commonwealth, 477 Mass. 691 (2017)

  Hon. Jay D. Blitzman, , Watertown
  Hon. Gloria Y. Tan, Middlesex County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Cambridge
  
• 2:20 pm – 2:35 pm

  C&P Proceedings and CRA Cases

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Children who are the focus of a C&P proceeding often have an open CRA case and are struggling in school.

  Hon. Lois Eaton, Hampden County Juvenile Court , Springfield
  Hon. Tracie Souza, Bristol County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Taunton
  
• 2:35 pm – 2:50 pm

  Delinquency Complaints and IEPs

  on demand video Add to Cart

  The Appeals Court “reminded” school officials of their obligation, when seeking a delinquency complaint against a student with an individualized education program (IEP), to make the prosecutor aware of the juvenile's special needs in a timely manner. Commonwealth v. Georgi G., 94 MAC 82 (2018).

  Hon. Gloria Y. Tan, Middlesex County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Cambridge
  Hon. Lois Eaton, Hampden County Juvenile Court , Springfield
  
• 2:50 pm – 3:05 pm

  Juvenile Trauma History

  on demand video Add to Cart

  How can counsel determine if a juvenile has experienced significant or repeated trauma in his life, especially when the child is not forthcoming or a reliable reporter?

  Hon. Tracie Souza, Bristol County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Taunton
  Hon. Joseph F. Johnston, Suffolk County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  
• 3:05 pm – 3:20 pm

  Limited Juvenile Brain Development

  on demand video Add to Cart

  What is the impact of limited juvenile brain development on a self-defense claim in a youthful offender prosecution, i.e., is there a “reasonable adolescent” standard which the court must apply?

  Hon. Jay D. Blitzman, , Watertown
  Hon. Gloria Y. Tan, Middlesex County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Cambridge
  
• 3:20 pm – 3:30 pm

  Break
• 3:30 pm – 3:45 pm

  Practice Tips for C&P Proceedings

  on demand video Add to Cart

  What specific practice tips can you give, based on what exceptional lawyers have done in cases before you, so that other attorneys can better represent the DCF, parents and children in Care and Protection proceedings?

  Hon. Joseph F. Johnston, Suffolk County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Tracie Souza, Bristol County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Taunton
  
• 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm

  Conditions of Probation

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Do you believe that imposing several conditions of probation can set up a child for failure?

  Hon. Gloria Y. Tan, Middlesex County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Cambridge
  Hon. Jay D. Blitzman, , Watertown
  
• 4:00 pm – 4:15 pm

  Reasonable Efforts Mandate

  on demand video Add to Cart

  How have judges been applying the reasonable efforts mandate of Care and Protection of Walt? Can you give examples of when DCF has failed to meet its obligation in this area?

  Hon. Lois Eaton, Hampden County Juvenile Court , Springfield
  Hon. Tracie Souza, Bristol County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Taunton
  
• 4:15 pm – 4:30 pm

  Interested Adult Rule

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Is the interested adult rule, which is applied to a juvenile who is deciding whether to waive his Miranda rights, adequately protecting juveniles?

  Hon. Joseph F. Johnston, Suffolk County Juvenile Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Boston
  Hon. Jay D. Blitzman, , Watertown
  
• 4:30 pm – 4:55 pm

  Trial Advocacy Tips

  on demand video Add to Cart
• 4:30 Judge Blitzman: What is the most common error made by prosecutors in an opening statement?
• 4:33 Judge Eaton: What is the most common error made by defense counsel in an opening statement?
• 4:36 Judge Johnston: What is the best way that counsel can enhance the credibility of a witness on direct examination?
• 4:39 Judge Souza: What is one way that counsel can be more effective at trial with demonstrative evidence?
• 4:42 Judge Tan: What are the most effective arguments made by counsel to persuade you to give “one last chance” to a parent who has an inconsistent history in dealing with a substance abuse issue?
• 4:45 Judge Blitzman: What are the most effective arguments made by counsel for DCF to persuade you not to give “one last chance” to a parent who has an inconsistent history in dealing with a substance abuse issue?
• 4:47 Judge Eaton: What are the most effective arguments made by counsel in a close case in order to persuade you not to impose detention on a juvenile in a youthful offender prosecution?
• 4:49 Judge Johnston: What is the most important trial advocacy tip that you can offer counsel in making their closing arguments before you?
• 4:51 Judge Souza: What do counsel do that most irritate a judge during a trial?
• 4:53 Judge Tan: What do counsel do that most irritate a judge during a trial?

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Chair

Faculty