This class explores the unique role of children in our legal system, looking at children as victims, perpetrators, witnesses, and even property. We will discuss the underlying and often conflicting rationales for these laws with a focus on how representation of children differs dramatically from representation of adults, both theoretically and practically, as well as how the presence or absence of minor’s counsel in these areas affects outcomes. Areas of law to be covered include: Dependency Law (the treatment of children as victims of abuse and neglect), Delinquency Law (the treatment of children as perpetrators of crimes), Family Law (custody and surrogacy proceedings affecting children), Probate Law (children as the subject of guardianship and inheritance proceedings), and Parental Termination (termination of parental rights for private adoption). In addition to lively class discussion, the class will offer the opportunity to meet prominent legal experts from a variety of legal backgrounds. The objective of this class is for students to learn to think critically and practically about the role of children in various legal areas.
