MSU Law Dean’s Fellows Consider Juvenile Law as Career Path
MSU Law students participating in the Dean’s Fellows program heard from a panel of law professionals passionate about changing Michigan’s juvenile justice system. Giving students a view from the trenches were Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald, Executive Director of Michigan Children’s Law Center Lynda McGhee, President and Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County Leah Ortiz, and attorney referee and Family Division Director for the 56th Circuit Court Juvenile Division Amanda Pollard.
(L-R): Amanda Pollard, Leah Ortiz, Lynda McGhee, Karen McDonald
After a thought-provoking introduction by each panelist about their journey to their present-day positions, the discussion turned to what’s being done to make Michigan law more compassionate toward young children and adolescents. An extensive dialogue centered around the panelists’ views on HB 4627. The bill, recently passed by the Michigan Legislature, makes large strides in improving juvenile justice statewide. “I’ve been working in this area for a long time,” said Ms. McGhee, “and this is the most reform that I’ve seen since I started practicing.”
Prosecutor McDonald spoke at length about the urgency for legislation like this to become more commonplace. “These bills and laws are needed. The evidence is clear that arresting 11-year-olds and putting them in detention centers doesn’t work.”
Dean’s Fellows
The Oakland County prosecutor and former judge emphasized the role that prosecutors should be playing amid these new changes. “The juvenile system doesn’t serve to punish; it serves to rehabilitate. Our prosecutors need conviction and compassion. If they don’t have that, I don’t want them handling these cases.”
All the panelists agreed that this bill is a key step in transforming the way the justice system treats today’s youth, enacting changes impacting judges all the way down to probation officers. While there was unanimous support of the bill, the speakers also made the point that there was more work to be done to improve the juvenile justice system. "There should be comprehensive and consistent training among prosecutors and probation officers," asserted Ms. Ortiz, who later posed the question to the room, “Are we holding the professionals accountable who should be checking in with these kids?”
College of Law Dean Linda Greene wrapped up the event by encouraging students to consider how they too can have this kind of success in social justice. In thanking the panelists, she applauded their hard work and commitment to such a critical field of law. “I’m so glad we’re starting to understand the effect of trauma in the justice system,” she exclaimed. “Especially with children.”
Front Row (L-R): Ms. McGhee, Ms. McDonald, Dean Greene; Back Row (L-R): Professor Sant’Ambrogio,
Ms. Ortiz, , Ms. Pollard, Director of Dean’s Fellows Program Audra Foster
In her closing words, Dean Greene addressed the Dean’s Fellows, a program she originated in 2022, and introduced soon-to-be Interim Dean Michael Sant’Ambrogio, who will lead this program in the new year. Professor Sant’Ambrogio shared similar sentiments about the panel discussion and how important this program is for Dean’s Fellows.
“I’m excited to see how we can best prepare students going forward. Whether that means gearing them up for the bar exam or exploring new topics in law, like the emergence of AI.” Interim Dean Sant’Ambrogio will assume the role on January 9th, 2024, to coincide with the spring semester.