Attorney General Opinion No.

The Honorable Elizabeth Carleen 22nd Judicial District Judge P.O. Box 86 Marysville, Kansas 66508

Dear Judge Carleen:

You request our opinion whether a juvenile can waive the right to counsel and tender a no contest plea under the juvenile offenders code. K.S.A. 38-1606(a) provides, as follows:

"(a) A juvenile charged under this code is entitled to have the assistance of an attorney at every stage of the proceedings. If the juvenile appears before any court without an attorney, the court shall inform the juvenile and the juvenile's parents of the right to employ an attorney. Upon failure to…