Juvenile Crime

Juvenile Defense Lawyer

As a Monroe attorney who defends juveniles accused of crimes, I sometimes get calls on my cell phone at night from parents who have just found out that their child has been arrested — or as they say in juvenile cases, referred to juvenile authorities.

Some of the most common types of offenses that result in a referral to juvenile authorities include:

• Possession of drugs or narcotics 
• Selling small amounts of marijuana out of a locker at school
• Dealing large quantities of drugs as a part of a drug conspiracy
• Alcohol possession and DUI by minor
• Possession of Illegal fireworks
• Inappropriate sexual behavior
• Sexual assault
• Assault 
• Possession of guns in school

Most of the time, the parents are looking for an opportunity to resolve the charges without their child having a criminal record. Generally speaking that can be done, but it can't be done in every case. Some juvenile cases are referred to adult court where the child faces adult prosecution and adult consequences. For this reason, I always talk to the prosecutor early whenever I represent a child who has been accused of a crime.

If the case involves a crime at school, the child may also face expulsion or suspension. In these cases, I often represent the family in two different proceedings: at the juvenile proceeding in court and at the administrative hearing at school.

Even though the charge may be the worst thing you could imagine, it is usually not the worst thing the court has seen. Juvenile charges can often be dismissed or erased so that they don't come back to haunt the child unless they are a multiple offender or continue to offend.

For a free initial consultation, contact juvenile defense lawyer John Walkley.