This course will introduce students to youth law in California with an emphasis on the intertwined systems of dependency, delinquency and education. Topics will include the competing interests of the State, parents and juveniles whenever children and families interact with government systems and institutions, and the sources of law and procedure governing those interactions. The course is meant to present a realistic picture of how attorneys, judges, and other professionals become involved in the lives of children as well as the myriad ethical issues arising in representation of juveniles. Students will explore each of the major phases of a typical representation including initial client interviews, negotiations, oral argument, and document drafting. This course is open only to first-year JD students.