Commentary: Our hard work to reform the Juvenile Justice System in Utah is not yet complete

“Do you know what a defense attorney does?”This question is often asked by juvenile court judges to determine whether a youth appearing in their courtroom is knowingly and voluntarily waiving their right to counsel. Youth often respond in the affirmative, but when asked to explain the function of a defense attorney, they have nothing to say. We are concerned that, in these cases, youth are giving up an important right they do not fully understand.Defense attorneys play a crucial role