Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 22 - CORRECTIONS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
Part XV - Public Defender Board
Chapter 15 - Trial Court Performance Standards for Attorneys Representing Children in Delinquency Proceedings-Post-Adjudication
Section XV-1507 - Preparing the Child Client for the Disposition Hearing

1. explain to the child client the nature of the disposition hearing, the issues involved, the applicable sentencing requirements, disposition options and alternatives available to the court, and the likely and possible consequences of the disposition alternatives;

2. explain fully and candidly to the child client the nature, obligations, and consequences of any proposed dispositional plan, including the meaning of conditions of probation or conditional release, the characteristics of any institution to which commitment is possible, and the probable duration of the child client's responsibilities under the proposed dispositional plan;

3. obtain from the child client relevant information concerning such subjects as his or her background and personal history, prior criminal or delinquency record, employment history and skills, education, and medical history and condition, and obtain from the child client sources through which the information provided can be corroborated;

4. prepare the child client to be interviewed by the official preparing the predisposition report, including informing the child client of the effects that admissions and other statements may have upon an appeal, retrial or other judicial proceedings, such as forfeiture or restitution proceedings;

5. inform the client of his or her right to speak at the disposition hearing and assist the client in preparing the statement, if any, to be made to the court, considering the possible consequences that any admission to committing delinquent acts may have upon an appeal, subsequent retrial or trial on other offenses;

6. when psychological or psychiatric evaluations are ordered by the court or arranged by the attorney prior to disposition, the attorney should explain the nature of the procedure to the child client and the potential lack of confidentiality of disclosures to the evaluator;

7. ensure the child client has adequate time to examine the predisposition report, if one is utilized by the court; and

8. maintain regular contact with the child client prior to the disposition hearing and inform the client of the steps being taken in preparation for disposition.