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-1513 - Disposition Hearing

A. The attorney should take steps to see that the disposition hearing is conducted in a timely fashion consistent with the prescribed time limits in the Children's Code for conducting the disposition hearing unless there are strategic reasons for not doing so, and should request appropriate relief for failure to follow the prescribed time limits.

B. The attorney should be prepared at the disposition hearing to take the steps necessary to advocate fully for the requested disposition and to protect the child client's interest.

C. Where the dispositional hearing is not separate from adjudication or where the court does not have before it all evidence required by statute, rules of court or the circumstances of the case, the lawyer should seek a continuance until such evidence can be presented if to do so would serve the child client's interests.

D. The lawyer at disposition should examine fully and, where possible, impeach any witness whose evidence is damaging to the child client's interests and to challenge the accuracy, credibility, and weight of any reports, written statements, or other evidence before the court. The lawyer should not knowingly limit or forego examination or contradiction by proof of any witness, including a social worker or probation department officer, when failure to examine fully will prejudice the child client's interests. Counsel should seek to compel the presence of witnesses whose statements of fact or opinion are before the court or the production of other evidence on which conclusions of fact presented at disposition are based.

E. Where information favorable to the child client will be disputed or challenged, the attorney should be prepared to present supporting evidence, including testimony of witnesses, to establish the facts favorable to the child client.

F. Where the court has the authority to do so, counsel should request specific recommendations from the court concerning the place of detention, probation or suspension of part or all of the sentence, psychiatric treatment or drug rehabilitation.

G. During the hearing if the court is indicating a commitment is likely, the attorney should attempt to ensure that the child client is placed in the most appropriate, least restrictive placement available.