Today marks the official launch of the new Juvenile First-Degree Murder Roster (JFDM Roster) project. Beginning today, courts in 27 North Carolina counties will have a new, separate roster of youth defenders who are ready, trained and willing to serve youth ages 13-17 who are charged with first-degree murder.
The hope is that when judges can appoint directly from a roster for this particular category of justice-involved youth, it will greatly reduce complications and delays for juvenile courts and who are all involved in these cases. The enhanced consistency for the youth will help them navigate the process and ensure that the attorneys who are appointed to represent them are met with fewer obstacles as they counsel and guide these youth through the justice system.
The 27 counties are: Surry, Wilkes, Davie, Stokes, Yadkin, Davidson, Rockingham, Forsyth, Rowan, Caswell, Nash, Cabarrus, Person, Edgecombe, Stanly, Granville, Wilson, Montgomery, Vance, Lee, Iredell, Warren, Harnett, Alexander, Franklin, Catawba, Randolph.
The OJD is using a phased-in approach because there must be, at minimum, three qualified roster attorneys per county to establish a JFDM Roster there. These first 27 counties have the numbers to opt in, and they will serve as the pilot counties so that the OJD can measure the effectiveness of the project before expanding it throughout the rest of the state.
For more information and/or to apply to the Juvenile First-Degree Murder Roster, follow this link to the Juvenile First-Degree Murder Project webpage on the website of the North Carolina Office of the Juvenile Defender.
“Navigating the juvenile justice system is complex and can be confusing to say the least. Adding to that, the need to understand all the aspects of superior court practice plus the possibility of a Miller sentencing hearing requires a dedication and level of qualified legal representation that is elite. We appreciate all the attorneys who have joined the Office of the Juvenile Defender’s Juvenile First Degree Murder roster.”
Eric Zogry, State Juvenile Defender