Every Child Deserves a Defense.
The Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel (ADC) protects the rights and futures of young people in Colorado’s youth justice system. We practice holistic defense—we don’t just represent kids in court; we build teams (attorneys, investigators, social workers, education specialists, experts) to address legal, school, family, and mental-health needs. We amplify youth voices and fight for dignity, fairness, and opportunity.
Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM) 2025 – “United for Understanding.”
Featuring the 🕊️ Books that Build Justice community reading list.
Racial Justice Resources Hub:
Youth-friendly plain-language tools about rights, equity, and community protection
ADC’s Commitment to Holistic Youth Defense
Every child deserves zealous, client-centered, and developmentally appropriate advocacy.
ADC ensures youth are supported by attorneys and a multidisciplinary team addressing legal, social, educational, and mental-health needs.
Core Pillars of Representation:
- Client-Directed Advocacy: We represent the expressed interests of our clients — never the “best interests” assumed by others.
- Interdisciplinary Support: Our contractors collaborate with investigators, forensic social workers, and education specialists.
- Early & Meaningful Engagement: Attorneys contact clients within two (2) business days of appointment and maintain ongoing communication.
- Whole-Person Advocacy: Each child’s family, school, and community context informs defense strategies.
- Equity & Justice: ADC fights to reduce collateral consequences and promote fairness and opportunity.
Contacts
ADC Main Office for Attorney Questions – (720) 994-2840
- If Detained: DYS Client Manager Line (303) 866-7308
DYS Admin: (303) 866-7345
- Find your child’s court case (Judicial Dockets)
- Where is my child being held? (Division of Youth Services)
- A Guardian ad Litem was appointed to my child’s case. How do I find information about this?
Forms
Contractor Forms
For all forms relating to Youth Defense for contractors, please go to the main forms page (login required).
Community Resources:
Your Rights
Learn what rights your child has in court, including:
- The right to an attorney (even if you cannot afford one)
- The right to remain silent
- The right to a fair hearing
- The right to appeal decisions
What to Expect
Step-by-step guidance after an arrest or charge:
- Detention vs. release decisions
- The first court hearing (within 48 hours)
- Attorney assignment (OADC or Public Defender)
- Ongoing hearings and motions
- Support services for youth and families
Juvenile Detention Centers in Colorado
- Division of Youth Services (DYS): 4255 S. Knox Ct., Denver CO 80236 · (303) 866-7345
- Gilliam YSC (Denver) · Marvin W. Foote YSC (Englewood) · Prairie Vista YSC (Brighton)
- Pueblo YSC (Pueblo) · Zebulon Pike YSC (Colorado Springs) · Lookout Mountain YSC (Golden)
- Adams YSC (Brighton) · Boulder County Juvenile Center · Denver Juvenile Services Center ([email protected])
Judicial Dockets: Colorado Judicial Branch Docket Search
Colorado Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR): coloradochildrep.org
Support Resources
Plain-language Racial Justice Resources for Youth and Families, including:
- What the Data Shows: Disparities from The Sentencing Project
- Know Your Rights: Defend Racial Justice materials
- Videos & Podcasts: 1619 Project, Seeing White
- Youth Advocates: Ambassadors for Racial Justice (Georgetown)
- For Families: NAACP Equity Resources
Books that Build Justice
Curated non-fiction, memoir, poetry, fiction, and young-adult booklists for 2025 YJAM: “United for Understanding.”
Titles include The New Jim Crow, Just Mercy, How to Be an Antiracist, The Rage of Innocence, Promise Boys, The Hate U Give, and many more.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a juvenile and adult case?
Juvenile court emphasizes rehabilitation, not punishment.
What does holistic defense mean?
Attorneys address school, mental-health, family, and community needs — treating your child as a person, not a case number.
Who provides my child’s attorney?
If the Public Defender has a conflict, ADC appoints a qualified attorney. Representation is guaranteed by Colorado law.
Where is my child being held?
- Call DYS Client Manager Line: (303) 866-7308
- See detention centers above for direct facility contacts.
What Rights Does My Child Have in Court?
- Right to an attorney
- Right to remain silent
- Right to fair hearings
- Right to appeal
How do I become an ADC Youth Defense Contractor?
Please click this link for a step-by-step guide to becoming a Youth Defense Contractor (login required).
Important Dates
- Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM)
- Reading circles or book events tied to Books that Build Justice
