In re Gault

In re Gault is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1967 that established important rights for juveniles in the legal system. The case involved Gerald Gault, a 15-year-old who was taken into custody for allegedly making a prank phone call. He was not given proper notice of the charges, nor the opportunity to have a lawyer present. The Supreme Court ruled that juveniles have the right to due process, including the right to legal counsel, to ensure fair treatment in court. This decision affirmed that young people deserve the same legal protections as adults.