Source: https://njdc.info/practice-policy-resources/state-profiles/newyork/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 10:32:54+00:00

Document:
In New York, all youth in delinquency proceedings are entitled to defense counsel at state expense. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 249. Court appointed counsel may be provided through a legal aid society, contract attorney system, or panel system. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 243(a)-(c).
In New York, the chief administrator of courts is responsible for prescribing workload standards and developing training programs for attorneys for youth. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 249-b(a)(3). Fourth Department panel attorneys must complete training. R. App. Div. 4th Dep’t. 1032.4.
Any information contained in annual panel redesignation application. N.Y. Ct. R. § 1032.4.
To be eligible for redesignation to a panel, an attorney for children shall submit a panel redesignation application to the Office of Attorneys for Children on or before January 2nd of each year.
In addition to statutes and case law, juvenile court proceedings are governed by court rules. These are often promulgated at the state level, but may also be passed at the local court level instead of or in addition to statewide rules. New York’s delinquency proceedings are governed by the Uniform Rules for N.Y.S. Trial Courts, Part 205, Uniform Rules for the Family Court.
In New York, youth in juvenile court have the right to counsel when they are subject to any delinquency or person in need of supervision (PINS) proceeding or detained. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 249(a). If independent legal representation is not available in these proceedings, the family court shall appoint counsel for the youth. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 249(a). The first time the youth appears in court, the youth and their parent or other person legally responsible for their care shall be informed of the right to be represented by counsel. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 320.3. If the child’s parent or guardian fails to attend the initial hearing despite reasonable and substantial efforts at notification, the court must appoint an attorney. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 320.3.
New York has no stated presumption of indigence in juvenile court proceedings, but the court appoints an attorney whenever independent counsel is not “available” to a youth. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 249(a). There is no means test for a youth or their parents or guardians. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 249(a). The New York legislature recognized that the right to counsel is “indispensable to a practical realization of due process of law and may be helpful in making reasoned determinations of fact and proper orders of disposition” and it established “a system of attorneys for children who often require the assistance of counsel to help protect their interests and to help them express their wishes to the court.” N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 241.
Waiver of counsel is in the best interest of the minor. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 249(a).
When and how the court may decide to detain a youth or otherwise place restrictions on the youth’s freedom is defined by statute and court rules. In New York, a detention hearing must occur within 72 hours of the youth being detained or the next day court is in session, whichever comes first. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 307.3(4). Provisions for the detention of juveniles are found in N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act §§ 305.2, 307.3, 307.4, 320.2, 320.5, and 325.1, and N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 510.15.
The legal needs of youth in the delinquency system rarely end at disposition, and states vary in the way they provide a right to representation on these post-disposition issues. New York statutes list three post-disposition proceedings at which youth have a right to counsel.
Appeal, N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act §§ 354.2, 1120.
Extension of Placement Action, N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act §§ 360.3(4), 355.3; see In re Michael J., 691 N.Y.S.2d 277 (N.Y. Fam. Ct. Monroe City. 1999).
The youngest age at which a youth can be adjudicated delinquent is seven. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 301.2(1).
Juvenile court has jurisdiction over offenses alleged to have been committed prior to a youth’s 17th birthday; after age 17, the youth is charged in adult court. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act §§ 301.2(1); 302.1. After October 1, 2019, the juvenile court will have jurisdiction over offenses alleged to have been committed prior to a youth’s 18th birthday. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 302.1.
Currently, family court has jurisdiction over offenses alleged to have been committed prior to a child’s 16th birthday; after age 16, the youth is charged in adult court. N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act §§ 301.2, 302.1.
Commencing October 1, 2018, youth under 17 can be tried in juvenile court; commencing October 1, 2019, youth under 18 can also be tried in juvenile court.
Youth under 17 (and under 18 commencing October 1, 2019) will be tried in family court for all misdemeanor cases (other than vehicle and traffic law misdemeanors). N.Y. Fam. Ct. Act § 301.2A. New “youth part” in criminal court will have jurisdiction over youth accused of felonies. N.Y. Crim. Proc. L. 722.10(1). Non-violent felony cases will be automatically removed to family court within 30 days, unless the District Attorney files a motion demonstrating “extraordinary circumstances” for the case to remain in criminal court. N.Y. Crim. Proc. L. 722.23. Violent felony cases will be heard in criminal court, unless the court finds “extenuating circumstances” to transfer the case to family court. N.Y. Crim. Proc. L. 722.23(2). Certain violent felonies cannot be transferred to family court. N.Y. Crim. Proc. L. § 720.10.
If the youth remains in adult court, the judge must take the “youthful offender” status into account when sentencing. N.Y. Crim. Proc. L. 720.10.
NJDC has not yet conducted an assessment of the juvenile indigent defense system in New York. If you would like to collaborate with NJDC to fundraise for, plan, or engage in an assessment in this state, please contact us.

References: § 249
 § 243
 § 249
 § 1032
 § 249
 § 249
 § 320
 § 320
 § 249
 § 249
 § 241
 § 249
 § 307
 § 510
 § 301
 § 302
 § 301
 § 720