Abstract
This qualitative study examines the experiences of juveniles transferred to adult criminal court and their interactions with legal counsel. Through semi-structured interviews with nine individuals who were convicted of murder as adolescents and served extensive prison sentences, the research reveals profound gaps between juveniles’ cognitive capacities and the expectations of adult court proceedings. Participants consistently reported limited understanding of legal processes, inadequate attorney–client communication, and fear-based decision-making regarding plea deals. Findings suggest that adolescents lack the developmental maturity to meaningfully participate in their own defense, even when provided legal representation. The study highlights the urgent need for specialized training for attorneys representing juveniles in adult court and calls for reconsideration of policies allowing adolescent transfer to adult criminal systems.