A Conversation About Juvenile Justice with Josh Perry

Last night, we were treated to a terrific discussion about juvenile defense between author and former New Orleans Public Defender, Josh Perry, and former Youth Advocacy Division director and YAF Founder, Josh Dohan. YAF Board members, local attorneys, and community members passionate about the topic turned out at the More Than Words Boston store and event space. We were so pleased that many of the youth who work at More Than Words also joined our event.

Josh Perry talked about his book and his experience as a juvenile defender in New Orleans. He talked about the importance of a juvenile defender honoring their clients' wishes for their representation and not to see themselves as "super heroes" who swoop in to save people. He also emphasized the importance of constantly evaluating the quality of representation being given.

Josh Dohan highlighted how Josh Perry was a pioneer in establishing a process of evaluating the juvenile defense office. Josh also reminded all present that the systems with which our clients interact - the family regulation system and the police, to just name two, have been challenging for our clients regardless of the party in control of the White House and it continues to be our job to zealously represent the young people we represent in the face of these challenges.

After the wonderful discussion, Josh Perry, read a bit from his book, Seraphim, and then met with attendees and signed copies of the book for donations to YAF. If you missed the event but would still love to support YAF and read a book described by one reader as "the most amazing book I've read in a long time", we have a limited number of signed copies that can be mailed to you for a donation of $50 to the Youth Advocacy Foundation. For more details, please email admin@youthadvocacyfoundation.org.

Here is a review of this book by 2024 Edgar Allen Poe Award Winner and YAF Board Member, Katherine Hall Page:

"Joshua Perry’s outstanding novel, Seraphim, works on so many levels. It’s an eyes-wide-open look at our justice system, specifically juvenile and what Public Defenders do, and can’t do. As someone with a career working with adolescents, it’s also one of the best explorations of why kids do what they shouldn’t and why they should not ever be viewed as adults—until well into their twenties. Cognitive science has shown us this. The book is also a moving description of relationships between parents and children; fathers and sons foremost here. And then Perry also manages to challenge us to think about belief through his protagonist’s struggle.

There’s so much more in this book, including suspense from page one to the startling conclusion and concepts he presents like the difference between the facts in a case and the facts in the world—what that means. Am still mulling it all over. This is without a doubt the best book I’ve read this summer, and maybe in all of 2024. Looking forward to more."