Identify and discuss the three means by which a youth might be assigned an attorney. Which is the most common type? Does that most common type provide adequate protections to the youths in question?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Youthful offenders can be assigned
and represented by counsel in three ways. One method is assigned counsel whereby
private attorneys are appointed by judges on an ad hoc basis or oversight assignment
system. A second method is by contract whereby private attorneys, law firms, or
nonprofit organizations are used by the local or state entities. Finally, there is the use of
public defender offices, where public or private nonprofit entities employ full- or part-
time attorneys. In many states and jurisdictions, the more common of these three
attorney assignment systems is the public defender office. If funded adequately,
salaried and specially trained attorneys are able to more effectively represent their
clients when compared to private attorneys, law firms, or other legal
organizations.