Need a Juvenile Criminal Lawyer?
Need a lawyer for juvenile court to represent your minor child in criminal court and fight to keep his or her criminal record clean? Skilled attorneys for teenagers and children can also help get a juvenile criminal record sealed or expunged and will work to get your child the best possible outcome.
Juvenile law attorneys deal with all types of felony and misdemeanor offenders. Getting arrested is by far one of the most stressful and upsetting experiences a family can go through. Your lawyer will work with parents trying to help a son or daughter avoid a juvenile criminal record. They can also make sure their clients rights are protected and that the minor is not subjected to the same procedures, rules and sentences as adult offenders.
Most legal experts will recommend hiring a lawyer for juvenile court rather than trying to handle legal matters on your own (note: the courts sometimes hold parents responsible for the juvenile’s behavior). A criminal lawyer familiar with juvenile law, crimes and procedures will know how to protect your child’s rights (and your rights) and work to find the best alternative to criminal proceedings, such as alternatives to incarceration programs such as juvenile treatment programs, counseling, boots camps, community service and more..). Your lawyer can also get the juvenile criminal record sealed or expunged in certain cases.
Understanding Juvenile Offender Vs Youthful Offender
Juvenile Offender – Children 16 and younger can be prosecuted in adult criminal court for certain very serious crimes. However, these children do not face the same jail sentences that adults face.
Youthful Offender – People under 19 years old at the time of the alleged offense are usually eligible for Youthful Offender Treatment . A “Youthful Offender” is not considered to be convicted of a crime by New York State. Also, a Youthful Offender is sentenced according to different rules from adults.A Youthful Offender can receive a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 – 4 years in prison.(special note: the federal government can still consider a youthful offender a “conviction” regarding regarding matters of immigration).
Finding a Lawyer for Juvenile Court
Most states have laws that state a child under a certain age (usually 10) does not have the mental capacity to commit a crime. In most states a minor is a child under the age of 18 years that still lives and is supported by his or her parents. The reasoning ability and judgment of minors is not the same as adults, which the courts acknowledge with the laws set forth in the juvenile justice system. The legal term for a child charged with a crime is an adjudicated minor or adjudicated delinquent.
A juvenile lawyer can explain cases in which your child might be charged as an adult as opposed to juvenile offender . It often depends on factors such as:
- Is the minor a repeat offender?
- Did the minor commit a violent crime?
How your child is treated will depend on:
- The judge
- The state in which the crime was committed
- The charges
- The police officer making the arrest
A lot of things have changed over the years regarding how the court views a juvenile criminal record.In the past, prior juvenile records could not be used against you, but the laws have changed. The courts will now (in all states)consider an adult’s juvenile record when sentencing a defendant and can make the penalties more severe.
A skilled lawyer will protect your child’s rights and fight to keep his or her criminal record clean.
You Lawyer may be able to:
- Get the cases handled informally (diverted) so the child is not jailed and does not end up with a juvenile record.
- Keep juveniles from being tried as adults
- Arrange for a juvenile’s release from pre-adjudication detention
- Arrange and convince a judge to agree to creative and positive alternatives (such as probation, community service, boot camps, drug programs) to avoid the possibility of unfavorable outcomes expunge or seal a juvenile criminal record
Special note: a judge may be more likely to agree to probation (depending on the severity of the offense), if the parents show up at the court proceedings and seem to be involved in their child’s life.
Need a criminal lawyer for your child or another juvenile in your family or care? Contact us now for a free consult.
