AFRICAN-AMERICAN JUVENILE JUSTICE PROJECT (AAJJP)

Welcome to AAJJP's legal corner!

Here you will find our latest legal endeavors on behalf of  juveniles. Our goal is to bring justice to all children.  In doing so, we decide to accept cases that either can change case law or legislation. 

Attorney Jefferson has set the standard that grants unto to each lawyer in the State of Georgia and other states that follow, the opportunity to zealously advocate on behalf of their client, to protect and preserve their constitutional and civil rights free from facing contempt and incarceration.  Based upon  Jefferson's advocacy and self-representation before our Supreme Court  lawyers willing to advocate for their clients can do so without fear of retribution by judges.  Lawyers should not fear representing clients because of threats by judges that include incarceration and, the Supreme Court said "judges should guard against confusing their sensibilities with violating the orderly administration of the court . . . and be careful of making improper statements . . ." to lawyers that warrant response. http://www.capitaldefenseweekly.com/blog/?p=2837 

 She won on behalf of all lawyers and children in need of zealous legal representation. 

 SOME ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Recent Accomplishments by Attorney Jefferson that have helped bring change to citizens and the legal community.

Court of Appeals (GA)

Habeas Corpus against the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice

for illegal detention of children and violation of right to counsel and due process: 06-V-0378 Ware County, Georgia

African American Juvenile Justice Project

: File legal actions and protect the interest of the underrepresented classes for allegations of civil and constitutional violations, etc. .

OTHER CASES:

Although these decisions were AFFIRMED by the Court of Appeals, each decision opened the door for the General Assembly/State Legislators to enact legislation to provide Equal Protection to Juveniles. The Court of Appeals clearly notes the discrepancies in the laws for juveniles versus the laws for Adults.  Toward that end, these cases offer a guide for change in law and the lives of juveniles, if only State legislators would follow suit and enact law.

283 Ga. App. 648
In the Interest of  X X., a child (Juvenile Right to have Evidence/Discovery

OCGA § 15-11-75 (a) (7) provides:

In all cases in which a child is charged with having committed a delinquent act as defined in Code Section 15-11-2, the child shall, upon written request to the person or entity prosecuting the case having actual custody, control, or possession of the material to be produced, have full access to [photographs and any physical evidence which are intended to be introduced at the hearing] for inspection, copying, or photographing.

(Emphasis supplied.) Since the state did not have actual possession of the videotape and further because it did not intend to introduce the videotape into evidence at trial, it was not under any obligation to produce the videotape pursuant to X.X. discovery request.[2] Compare OCGA §§ 17-16-1 (1) and 17-16-4 (a) (3), requiring the state to produce in criminal prosecutions certain items which are "within the possession, custody, or control of the prosecuting attorney or any law enforcement agency involved in the investigation of the case being prosecuted."

280 Ga. App. 143 (2006)
IN THE INTEREST OF X X, a Child. (Credit for Time Served)

  Finally, the law provides that J.R. will be given credit for any time spent in detention following his adjudication but prior to his being admitted into the boot camp program. OCGA § 15-11-66

(b) (1). The law does not require the juvenile court or the Department, however, to give X.X. credit for time spent in detention prior to his adjudication.(fn2) Therefore, we find no error in the court's dispositional orders.    FN2. Adult offenders are given credit for time served in jail awaiting trial pursuant to OCGA § 17-10-10 (b). Spann v. Whitworth, 262 Ga. 21, 22-23 (1) (413 SE2d 713) (1992). There is no corresponding provision in the law pertaining to delinquent and unruly children. See OCGA § 15-11-62 et seq.

LINKS 

Articles on Juvenile Justice

 Lost Opportunities

Children Tried as Adults

Anti-Depressant Drugs