Welcome back to another blog with OJD! Easy week with us, Eric & Austine took on Greensboro with an informative and necessary Raise the Age & Juvenile Basics CLE and the office is preparing vital information for our defenders as we get closer to the big day.
Friday Fact: Today, October 10, is #WorldMentalHealthDay .
According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness: 20% of youth ages 13-18 live w/ a #mentalhealth condition and 70% of youth in state & local juvenile justice systems have a mental illness.
These numbers show how important #juveniledefense is to our community and helping our youth live amazing lives, not ones tied down by the justice system. Take a moment to take care of you, while you take care of others. #WorldMentalHealthDay
TIP OF THE WEEK:
Contacting Your Client
When contacting your client for the first time, you should use as many methods as feasible. Send a letter to both the client and parent/guardian. Call to set up an appointment. And be sure to contact the intake counselor to make sure you have the correct contact information. If you aren’t able to meet before court, ask the court for a continuance. Building a relationship with your client and building your case can’t happen on the courthouse steps.
We are 51 days away from #RaiseTheAgeNC. It only took 100 years to get here (we mean that literally and sarcastically!)!
Last week OJD also attended the IDS Commission Meeting, and a new chair was elected, Mr. Darrin Jordan. Congratulations to you Mr. Jordan!
Here’s a few photos from the meeting:


Has your county, district or region attended a Raise the Age CLE? Need to brush up on your Juvenile Basics? Contact our office and Project Attorney, Austine Long, for a date near you.
That’s all we have for week 2 of October. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to #RaiseTheAgeNC!