Blog

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and its purpose is to recognize the importance of self-care and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. OJD wants to encourage…

As we head into Good Friday, we’re taking a moment to slow down and reflect, not just on the meaning of the day, but on the work we…

Last Friday, on March 28, 2025, the North Carolina Office of the Juvenile Defender (OJD) hosted a hybrid Continuing Legal Education (CLE) training focused on handling first-degree murder…

In addition to new legislation impacting Raise the Age and capacity, a new crime of sexual extortion has been codified in N.C.G.S. 14-202.7 linked here. The statute specifically…

Big news, friends! After an amazing journey with the Office of the Juvenile Defender, it's time for me to turn the page and start a new chapter in…

We hope you all had an amazing Christmas! As 2024 comes to an end, the Office of the Juvenile Defender would like to reflect on a year marked…

As you may know by now, House Bill 834 changed the rules of original jurisdiction, specifically for 16- and 17-year-olds charged with a...

The Office of the Juvenile Defender wishes the youth defender community a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday! In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we also wanted to take the opportunity…

7B-1903 and 7B-1905 authorize secure custody under specific criteria. Assuming a juvenile meets the criteria for secure custody, where is the appropriate location for secure custody and who…