Written by Tana Fye
This link has a report card for each state on a child’s right to counsel. South Dakota only earns a D. This report card is based on laws actually on the books, not based on how those laws are applied by the Courts. When we look at how the laws are applied, I think that South Dakota would score a little higher, but perhaps it raises a good question about whether the laws should reflect the best practices of the state courts?
Thanks to the Children’s Advocacy Institute, FirstStar, and the University of San Diego School of Law for conducting this study and making your results public.