Includes index.

The nature, purpose, and structure of the manual -- Introduction to delinquency practice: the role of defense counsel -- Representing clients before initial hearing: steps to take if a client is at the police station or is "wanted" by the police -- The initial hearing: prehearing interview; arraignment; pretrial detention arguments; probable-cause hearing -- The client interview -- Case planning: deciding what things to do to prepare for trial and the order in which to do them -- Selecting and drafting motions: strategic and practical considerations -- Defense investigation -- Pretrial discovery -- Subpoenaing and preparing defense witnessess to testify at a motions hearing or trial -- Retaining and working with expert witnesses -- Representing clients who are mentally ill or mentally retarded -- Transfer or waiver to adult court -- Guilty pleas -- Defense motions to advance or for a continuance; motions to dismiss for want of prosecution; speedy trial motions -- Motions hearings; motions arguments -- Motions to dismiss the charging paper -- Motions for severance (or consolidation) of counts or respondents -- Motions to dismiss for social reasons -- Motions for a change of venue; motions for recusal of the judge -- Election or waiver of jury trial; motions relating to the jury -- Suppression hearings -- Motions to suppress tangible evidence -- Motions to suppress confessions, admissions, and other statements of the respondent -- Motions to suppress identification testimony -- Interlocutory review of pretrial rulings by means of prerogative writs -- Trial: general characteristics; the opening stage -- Selecting the jury at trial: the voir dire -- Opening statements -- Evidentiary issues that are likely to arise at trial -- Handling prosecution witnesses -- Motion for acquittal (the "prima facie motion") -- Presenting the case for the defense -- Objections to evidence; motions for mistrial; proffers; rulings on evidentiary questions -- The closing stage of a bench trial: renewal of the motion for acquittal; closing argument -- The closing stage of a jury trial: renewal of the motion for acquittal; closing argument; jury instructions; the jury's deliberations and verdict -- Postverdict proceedings -- Dispositions -- Appeal and post-disposition proceedings.

Includes bibliographical references and index.