STATEMENT TO

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, No. 269

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Senator TURNER )

ADOPTED: DECEMBER 21, 2023

      The Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill No. 269 clarifies a juvenile’s right to attorney representation.

Under current law, a juvenile has the right to an attorney at every critical stage in the proceeding which, in the opinion of the court, may result in the institutional commitment of the juvenile. 

     Under the bill, as reported by the Senate Budget and Appropriations committee, a juvenile has the right to an attorney at every critical stage of a court proceeding, which is defined to include every court appearance by the juvenile, including all post dispositional appearances; and any interrogation, identification procedure, or other investigative activity involving the juvenile undertaken by law enforcement or prosecutorial personnel subsequent to the filing of the complaint.

     These Senate amendments provide that the definition of critical stage of a court proceeding includes, but is not limited to, the proceedings set forth in the bill.