A small dependency courtroom, packed with experiences and inexperienced adults, tension and rivalry, holding a child’s future that can be decided in mere minutes. Often, agitation or other strong emotions can be confusing for a younger audience. Many minors don’t have the opportunity to meet their attorneys before the hearing begins, which creates mistrust and uncertainty.
For young children, legal matters and the courtroom can be very confusing and intimidating. Hearings move quickly, and language can be challenging to comprehend. Some children aren’t required to attend; when they are, decisions about school, placement, and family contact are made without their presence. How can decisions about someone be made without their consent or knowledge? Others might even sit quietly in the back, unsure of when, or even if, they are allowed to speak.
Even though every child in a welfare case is supposed to have a trustworthy lawyer, many only meet theirs for no more than a few minutes before the court trial begins. Attorneys often juggle dozens of cases at once, with their attention divided and focused elsewhere, leaving little time for personal connections with their young clients. As a result, children may feel like their stories, fears, concerns, or wants are only partly heard—or not seen at all.
Studies also show that when children have consistent, well-prepared lawyers, their outcomes after major court events and trials improve. They experience fewer placement changes and get permanency faster. And feel more involved in decisions about their lives. A strong attorney-client relationship provides children with stability when everything else feels uncertain, offering companionship, trust, and results.
Behind every case file is a child who may be dealing with fear, anxiety, or even PTSD, trust issues, and other internal conflicts. Many want to return home but worry about safety. Some can adjust better to foster systems but feel guilty for missing their family or parents. A reasonable attorney can help these children through difficult times and emotions, give them space to express what they truly want, and do their best to secure the best outcome.
Many young people who have been through the system report they didn’t always feel included during the process. Some didn’t even understand their case plans, and others weren’t sure what their lawyers could do for them. This sense of being “left out” erodes trust and can be one of the biggest challenges advocates hope to address.
The child welfare system is built to protect the safety of children, and their futures; however, the experience itself can become overwhelming, even traumatic, for the kids who are living through it. Ensuring they have strong, dedicated, and compassionate legal representation who truly has their best interests at heart is one of the most critical steps toward making the process more transparent, fairer, and more respectful of their voices. No matter how young or “naive” they may be, children all deserve a voice, especially when it comes to decisions made about them, their future, and what they must endure.
