To safeguard the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, Miranda prevents prosecutors from introducing statements made by suspects under custodial interrogation unless law enforcement informs the suspect of certain now-familiar rights. [1] Specifically, a person under custodial interrogation “must be warned
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Wisconsin Should Eliminate Original Adult Jurisdiction for Youth
In light of the new Court of Appeals decision,
State v. Mann-Tate, 2024AP2585-CR, on Feb. 3, 2026, Wisconsin needs a legislative fix to address the current due process concerns related to the reverse waiver statute. As attorneys practicing in the
The Generational Impact of Incarcerated Parents on Children
In Wisconsin, children with incarcerated parents often face compounded challenges that extend far beyond the courtroom. The emotional toll of separation, coupled with the instability it can create in housing, education, and caregiving, frequently manifests in behavioral and mental health
Neuroscience in the Courtroom Informs How We Should Sentence Youth
In recent years, advancements in neuroscience have shaped and reshaped how we understand the adolescent brain and psyche.
For most of our nation’s legal history, however, children have been overlooked, undervalued, and misunderstood. In the 1990s, several criminologists coined the
For most of our nation’s legal history, however, children have been overlooked, undervalued, and misunderstood. In the 1990s, several criminologists coined the
Advocating for Students with Disabilities: IDEA Basics for Wisconsin Attorneys
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law that makes available a free appropriate public education to eligible children with disabilities throughout the United States and ensures special education and related services to those children.Those who work with
The Child’s Wishes after TPR: An Afterthought? A Proposed Amendment to Chapter 48
After the court grants a termination of parental rights (TPR), children are at their most vulnerable legal juncture. At this step of the proceedings, children are legal orphans, waiting to be adopted or to find other permanency. So, imagine the
The 365-day Secure Detention Programs for Youth are Poorly Regulated
Wis. Stat. section 938.34(3)(f) allows for children to be placed in a juvenile detention facility as a dispositional placement for up to 365 days. However, the regulations for holding kids in juvenile detention facilities for up to 365 days are
Soon We May Soon Know the Required Burden of Proof in TPR Dispositional Hearings
Over its last several sessions, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has attempted to determine that burden of proof required during at dispositional phase of a termination of parental rights case in Wisconsin.The Court first addressed this issue in June 2023 in
Diane Rondini Wins Prestigious Leadership Award for Excellence in Youth Defense
Diane Rondini, a retired public defender, has received the 2024 Robert E. Shepherd Jr. Leadership Award for Excellence in Youth Defense.
Diane Rondini, a retired public defender and past chair of the State Bar of Wisconsin Children and the Law
The Sibling Bond: Its Importance in Foster Care and Adoptive Placement
The sibling bond is a fundamental aspect of human relationships. The bond often outlasts many other connections throughout a person’s life.In the area of foster care and adoption, where stability and emotional support are important, the preservation of sibling relationships