Assistant Public Defender Wins Juvenile Justice Advocacy Award

MIAMI, FL – June 11, 1998 – The American Bar Association announced on June 8, 1998, that it has selected Assistant Public Defender Stephen Harper as one of two winners of the 13th Annual Livingston Hall Juvenile Justice Award. The award was established to honor skillful and dedicated lawyers who have made outstanding contributions to the juvenile justice field.

Stephen Harper has been an advocate for children since graduating from law school in 1984, including serving as Public Defender Bennett H. Brummer’s Juvenile Division Chief for six years.

During his tenure, he also sought to improve Florida’s juvenile justice system by chairing the Dade County Juvenile Justice Council, serving on the Florida Public Defender Association’s Juvenile Justice Committee, serving on The Florida Bar’s Juvenile Court Rules Committee, testifying before the state legislature, and assisting in the development of the Public Defender’s Anti-Violence Initiative.

“With the increasing rate of harsh sanctions in juvenile court, now more than ever the work of skilled juvenile defenders is critical,” said Robert G. Schwartz, chair of the ABA Criminal Justice Section's Juvenile Justice Committee. “This year's winners are innovative and dedicated advocates committed to improving the juvenile justice system.”

ABA President Jerome Shestack will preside over the award presentation August 2, 1998 at the ABA's Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

Mr. Harper is now co-coordinator of the Capital Litigation Unit.