Georgia Public Defender Council Youth Defense Conference Hears from National and State Juvenile Justice Experts
PEACHTREE CITY, GA— The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) hosted its inaugural Youth Defense Conference on Thursday, May 8, and Friday, May 9, 2025. The conference brought together attorneys, judges, educators, and social workers to sharpen defender skills and explore emerging trends in youth advocacy.
Youth Advocacy Division Director Alfonso Kraft delivers opening remarks at the conference.
GPDC Youth Advocacy Division Director Alfonso Kraft, whose unit sponsored the event, opened the conference which began with a presentation on representing youth charged as Children in Need of Services (CHINS), led by Cindy Wang, Director of Legal Services for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, and Trey Scott, Staff Attorney with DJJ.
Cindy Wang, Director of Legal Services for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.
The Truancy Intervention Project, a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on keeping children in school and out of court, offered practical strategies for communicating with families and building trust in youth defense cases. Education attorney Craig Goodmark, known for his expertise in special education law, led a session on IEPs and school discipline, providing defenders with tools to navigate IDEA provisions and advocate effectively for students with disabilities.
GPDC Youth Attorney Danielle Simpson (center right) pictured with staff from the Truancy Intervention Project.
A judicial panel featured Judge Wenona Belton of the DeKalb County Juvenile Court and Judge Gayl Branum Carr, a nationally respected jurist from Fairfax County, Virginia. They shared insights on adolescent development, the use of data in youth justice, and evidence-based practices from the bench. The first day concluded with a presentation by GPDC’s Social Work Division, whose team outlined how defenders could access resources and structured support services for clients through collaborative casework.
(Left to right) Judge Wenona Belton of DeKalb County Juvenile Court, Judge Gayl Branum Carr of Fairfax County, Virginia, and GPDC Executive Director Omotayo Alli.
On Friday, Kris Henning, Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic and Initiative at Georgetown Law and author of The Rage of Innocence, presented a workshop titled Litigating Race, Adolescence, and the Traumatic Effects of Policing. Henning’s session helped youth defenders challenge traditional legal standards and integrate research on racial trauma, adolescence, and policing disparities into courtroom advocacy. Afternoon sessions included a Motions Practice workshop led by Randee Waldman, Director of the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic at Emory University School of Law, and Rachel Gordon, an experienced trial attorney and appellate advocate with GPDC. The event closed with a brief ceremony and acknowledgments.
Randee Waldman, Director of the Barton Juvenile Defender Clinic at Emory University School of Law.
“This training reflected GPDC’s mission to lead with compassion, expertise, and justice for Georgia’s youth,” said Omotayo Alli, Executive Director of the Georgia Public Defender Council. “We were proud to equip our defenders with the knowledge and resources to serve our most vulnerable clients.”
The GPDC Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) is dedicated to improving outcomes for youth exposed to the criminal justice system. The YAD is committed to the prompt appointment of competent and zealous counsel for every youth, ensuring their rights are vigorously defended.
In Georgia, public defenders are the frontline champions of justice. Every day, these dedicated, bar-licensed attorneys passionately defend the rights of low-income and underserved community members—ensuring that every person receives a fair trial. Representing approximately 85% of criminal defendants in the state, Georgia Public Defender Council attorneys are committed to equal justice through their unwavering dedication to keep our justice system fair and accessible for all. Learn more at www.gapubdef.org.
