This week has been an exciting time for OJD. Not ONLY was there training in Gaston County BUT OJD welcomed two employees into the office (who also trained in Gaston!). Keep reading for all the news.
Tip of the Week
Prior Record Level Matters
If yourclient’s prior record places him/her in a position for the judge to enter alevel 1 OR 2 dispositional level, ALWAYS argue for a level 1 disposition. Youcan find a copy of the disposition chart here. Make sure to check the final written order foraccuracy.
CASE NOTES
Therewere two new published opinions last month, one from the NC Supreme Court andthe other from the Court of Appeals. In the Matter of T.T.E., decidedby the Supreme Court, the Court reversed the Court of Appeals decision vacatingthe juvenile’s adjudication and disposition orders of disorderly conduct.Justice Earls wrote a lengthy dissent, which is worth reading.
In the Matter of J.B.,the Court of Appeals, in a divided opinion, reversed the trial court’sadjudication and disposition orders for second degree sexual exploitation of aminor, first degree forcible sexual offense, and an attempted larcenyadmission. The Court also addressed the juvenile’s right to confrontation, thecommitment of the juvenile to YDC, and confinement pending appeal. You can findthe summary for In the Matter of T.T.E.here, and In the Matter of J.B. here.
Gaston County Training
Tuesday, September 17 OJD visitedGastonia, NC and provided essential training to defenders and legal teams regardingRaise the Age and Juvenile Defense Basics. Our Assistant Juvenile Defender Kimled Juvenile Basics while our NEW ProjectAttorney tackled all the information for Raise the Age.
Missed this CLE? Contact ouroffice if you’re interested in attending or scheduling training for yourcounty.
New Employees
Meet OJD’s new Project Attorney, Austine Long. Here’s a bit about her:
Before coming to join ouroffice, she worked as a Program Attorney for at the UNC School of Governmentwhere she designed trainings for public defenders and private attorneysappointed to represent indigent clients. She also previously worked as the drugcourt coordinator for the Montgomery County Circuit Court Adult and JuvenileDrug Courts in Maryland. She has served as a project director at the National Associationof Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) and an assistant public defender for the14th Judicial District in Durham, NC, where she handled only juvenile cases.For seven years prior to that, she was in private practice focusing onjuvenile, family, and criminal law.
*Extra: Austine’s previousposition is now seeking applicants. For more information visit: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/168727
Meet OJD’s new Communications & Office Manager, LaTobia Avent. Here’s a bit about her:
Before taking her position withOJD, LaTobia worked in the private sector for 7 years at AT&T Mobility as aSupervisor. She graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with herMasters in Communications in 2019 and prior to that, she attended NorthCarolina A&T where she received her bachelors in English in 2011. She lovessocial media and connecting with the world, which is her goal with OJD,connecting defenders to vital information. Through her gained communication skillsat AT&T and using her passion of social media, advocacy and all thingshuman connection, she hopes to extend OJD’s reach to attorneys and justicefighters alike. Follow OJD on Facebook for just how she does it: Search “NC Officeof the Juvenile Defender”
Have a GREAT weekend andBE SAFE!