About Us

  1. Areas of Practice
  2. Location
  3. Mission Statement
  4. Strategic Goals

Areas of Practice


  • Delinquency
  • Dependency
  • Civil Mental Health

Message From the Public Advocate, Shannon Burns:


Lady JusticeThe Office of the Public Advocate for Juveniles and Mental Health Court is dedicated to the representation of juveniles between the ages of 8 and 17 accused of criminal conduct, parents in jeopardy of losing custody of their children to the state and persons facing court evaluation and court ordered mental health treatment.

Duties & Services


We ensure a youth's right to counsel guaranteed by the United States Constitution, Arizona Constitution and the Supreme Court (In re Gault); we protect a parent's right to rear their child without interference from the state; and we provide legal counsel to individuals facing court evaluation and court ordered mental health treatment.

Dedication


The staff of the Public Advocate's Office is dedicated to assisting the youth of Maricopa County navigate the criminal justice system and achieve the best outcome for every child.

The staff is equally dedicated to ensuring that parents in jeopardy of losing custody of their children to the state of Arizona are afforded an opportunity to dispute the allegations and given an opportunity to rectify conditions that required the removal of their children.

Further, the staff is dedicated to ensuring individuals facing court evaluation and court ordered mental health treatment are provided an attorney to help them to combat court supervision of their mental health.