If a child is sentenced to 18 months is there a possibility they might be released sooner? Also, how can you get help for a child that has been sentenced to YDC when he was under the care of a physchiatrist and was receiving treatment and the doctor's recommendations were ignored by the court, the child was not mentally capable of aiding in his defense or making an informed decision. There was an excellent alternative provided by the family for the child to be sent to a private therapeutic school where he would continue treatment, continue his education and allowed to become a productive citizen. There was no previous criminal history, there was a previous charge of being unruly. The judge told the child that if he could not afford an attorney he would have to represent himself in court. His single mother was turned down by the public defenders office, even though she could prove the seriousness of her financial situation. A family member did provide an attorney who took his fees, walked the child into court and railroaded him in to accepting a plea agreement that the family did not want the child to take, and feel the child did not receive adequate representation. We feel that he will be lost in the system, that he will not receive the physchiatric care and medication he needs. We think his rights were violated, he never had a chance a fair hearing, and that his right to due process was violated. The whole case from arrest ( he turned himself in ) to conviction took a week and a half. We desperately need someone to come to our aid. Thank you,