The Legal Aid Society is applauding a ruling by the Appellate Division, First Department which allows juveniles the same access to impeachment discovery as adults, as reported by the New York Law Journal.

“The First Department recognized that juveniles charged in Family Court should be given the same information necessary to adequately defend themselves that adult defendants currently must receive,” said John Newbery, a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society.

“The court held that, even though the Legislature has yet to act on proposals before it to require that juveniles also get such information, equal protection principles mandate that juveniles get it now,” he continued. “The decision is an indication that the Legislature needs to act.”