Richelle Mahaffey

Richelle Mahaffey, a juvenile public defender in Des Moines, Iowa, loves her job. She sees the difference it makes when young people have someone they can trust in their corner, and from her point of view, it is a privilege to work with children and youth involved in juvenile court.

Richelle’s path to advocacy for children and youth started with a Gideon Fellowship at the Iowa State Public Defender’s Office. Her initial work was not in juvenile court, but she represented teenagers who had been transferred to adult court and received excellent training from more senior attorneys in her office during her fellowship. Later, she also worked on domestic violence cases at a county attorney’s office. In both of those jobs she learned excellent trial skills, but also learned a lot about helping people who have experienced trauma, and that her ability to listen was as important as her ability to advocate in court.

When she finally had the chance to transition to juvenile court representation, she grabbed it with both hands. She relishes the challenge of working in juvenile court- where understanding social service systems and collateral consequences of juvenile court involvement can be just as important as trial skills. And nothing is more satisfying than helping a young person get the support they need without being exposed to the aspects of the justice system that can be harmful.

For example, in a recent delinquency case, she successfully advocated for a homeless youth to avoid a juvenile record and get needed educational and housing support. But right before that case was going to end successfully, a new, very serious charge, landed him directly in adult court. She had to fight for him on two fronts, and everything he had achieved in juvenile court was at risk. So, while she actively investigated and litigated the adult court case, she kept the pressure on the juvenile court team to help her client get the services he needed. Ultimately, the adult court case was dismissed, and the juvenile court case ended successfully with her client in safe and stable housing, and in possession of a high school diploma. For a young man with little family support, Richelle and her colleagues were more than simply good lawyers. They were his main supporters during a very challenging time in his life.

Richelle’s advice for new lawyers in the field is simple: no matter how difficult things look, always focus on what needs to happen next to help your client achieve their goals. Young people often feel “written off” by schools, courts, and sometimes even families, and they need lawyers who won’t give in to negativity. Focusing on a hopeful narrative for the case not only helps the client—it also helps lawyers avoid burn-out and compassion fatigue.

Des Moines youth are fortunate to have a lawyer like Richelle in their corner. Her important combination of hard work, trial skills, trauma informed approach, and (importantly) optimism make a real difference in her cases. 

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