Description

The laws affecting young people of all ages are complex, controversial, and have changed rapidly over the past twenty years. The rights of a minor in trouble may differ dramatically from those of an adult from the moment of arrest to the sentence imposed. Recent cases have also changed laws in the areas of child abuse and neglect, foster care, adoption, and the termination of parental rights. Further, special laws often govern a young person’s right to medical treatment, contraceptive devices, and abortion. Clearly written and authoritative, this is an essential reference book not only for young people themselves, but for all concerned parents, educators, and social and health care professionals.

About the Author

Martin Guggenheim is Clinical Professor of Law and Director of the Juvenile Rights Clinic at the New York University School of Law. Previously, Mr. Guggenheim served as staff attorney and acting Di­rector of the Juvenile Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union and as staff attorney for the Juvenile Rights Division of the New York City Legal Aid Society. Mr. Guggenheim has litigated many important cases concerning juvenile justice and chil­dren’s rights. He is the co-author of Standards Relat­ing to Abuse and Neglect and, along with Alan Sussman, of The Rights of Parents. He is also the author of numerous legal articles on juvenile law.

Alan N. Sussman is an attorney practicing law in Kingston, New York, with the firm of Ricken, Gold­man, Sussman and Blythe. Additionally, he is Adjunct Associate Professor at the New York University School of Law where he teaches a course on juvenile justice. Previously, Mr. Sussman served as staff attorney for the Juveni1e Rights Division of the New York City Legal Aid Society and as “Ombudsman” for the children in institutions under the authority of the New York State Division for Youth. He is the author of the First Edition of The Rights of Young People, co-author, along with Mr. Guggenheim, of The Rights of Parents, co-author of Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: Guidelines for Legislation, and served as editor of the monthly ACLU publication, Children’s Rights Report.