Juvenile Court
LCYC provides holistic legal advocacy to youth in King County with juvenile court matters, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. LCYC represents young people in these proceedings if we are assigned to do so by the King County Department of Public Defense.
LCYC's advocacy goes beyond what is provided through traditional public defense by meeting all of the youth's civil legal needs. For example, we assist youth with education, housing, immigration, and public benefits. We gather and share information with each youth at the appropriate developmental level, helping them to understand the legal system, issues, and options. LCYC helps youth to understand and engage in a complicated and often frightening legal processes.
LCYC attorneys also collaborate with the youth, family, and community supports to identify and address the youth's non-legal needs. We strive to help youth strengthen and build natural support systems, which will outlast the duration of our advocacy.
In addition, LCYC is one of several legal service entities that provides on-call legal advice to youth who are placed under arrest, before they waive their right to silence. This service, Youth Access to Counsel, is offered through the Washington State Office of Public Defense.