Juvenile Defense
When a child, under the age of 18 is accused of a crime, the case will be brought in the Juvenile Division of the Superior Court. Although the same laws apply to a minor, the rules and procedures of the court are different. These proceedings are called “delinquency” cases, and you need an attorney who understands how to navigate this special court.
Purpose of the Juvenile Court
The Juvenile Division is a trauma sensitive court, focusing on the protection, rehabilitation, and safety of children and families. The court utilizes services, rather than punishment, to help families through their most difficult times. If your child has behavioral concerns, or is struggling in the home, there are services available that could help.
Juvenile Delinquency Attorney
If your child is facing criminal charges, or has been arrested, contact our office to learn about what you should do to make sure you are treated fairly, and your child is kept safe. There can be far-reaching effects of involvement in the criminal justice system for your child. Despite common belief, Juvenile delinquency cases are not automatically sealed when your child turns 18. Those records must be sealed in order to protect your child from damaging consequences as an adult. You need effective legal representation to protect your child.
Status Offense Cases
Our firm also handles status offenses. Status offenses are offenses committed by juveniles that wouldn’t be considered criminal acts among adults and couldn’t be tried as such. So the only reason these offenses are regarded as violations of the law for juveniles is their age.
Types of Status Offenses
Some common examples of status offenses include:
- Running away from home
- Alcohol and tobacco issues
- Disobeying a curfew
- Skipping school
- Uncontrollable juveniles
Contact a Juvenile Court Attorney Today
At The Law Offices of Jane Jacobs, J.D., M.S.W., we are committed to fighting for children who’ve been accused of crimes, all of whom deserve a chance to rehabilitate and lead productive lives. We are also committed to ensuring that juvenile dependents can live happy, healthy lives without being subjected to abuse and neglect.
If your child has been accused of a crime, contact our offices today to schedule a consultation. Likewise, if you are a relative of a juvenile dependent, such as a grandparent or next of kin, and you see abuse or neglect occurring, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help. Our compassionate Tucson family attorneys have extensive experience handling juvenile court cases, so we could advise you of your legal options and help you achieve your desired outcome. Contact us today at (520) 729-8292 for a case evaluation.