Juvenile Matters
Troy Juvenile Matters Attorneys
Handling Juvenile Delinquency Cases in Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, and Shelby Counties
A lot of kids make mistakes, and an unfortunate reality is that sometimes those mistakes can land them in hot water with the criminal justice system. A good lawyer might end up being crucial in deciding what conclusions the legal system will reach and how a young person’s life may be impacted going forward.
We have over 100 years of combined experience providing legal counsel for young people and their families. Call (937) 400-3170 or contact us online to set up a consultation.
Types of Delinquency
There are some types of delinquency that are unique to minors. Buying alcohol while under the age of 21 or using a fake I.D. to do so is one example. An adult, by definition, cannot commit these crimes, although an adult can be charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor if they buy the alcohol.
Contributing to delinquency is a serious offense in its own right, and any adult facing these charges should seek out an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Other cases of juvenile delinquency deal with matters that are crimes at any age. Robbery, assault, and disturbing the peace are common examples. These are matters that will be adjudicated in the state of Ohio’s juvenile court system.
Certain types of crimes are serious enough that a juvenile defendant may be charged as an adult. Murder, rape, and arson are just some of the cases that fall under this category.
Call Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co at (937) 400-3170 or fill out our online contact form to set up a consultation.
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Possible Outcomes in Juvenile Court
Ohio law wants accountability for criminal acts, but our state’s system also places a high priority on rehabilitation. It’s not uncommon for other problems in life to be a big reason why someone under the age of 18 acted out. Our Troy juvenile matters attorneys work within this system to help young defendants get the best chance of starting over.
The suspension of a driver’s license is one possible outcome in juvenile court. If alcohol or drugs are involved, then court-ordered counseling could be the result. A judge might order a juvenile defendant to perform community service or make obtaining a high school diploma a court requirement.
More severe penalties can include the defendant being ordered into mandatory detention with The Ohio Department of Youth Services. A misdemeanor crime can result in 90 days of detention. More serious crimes, such as those involving a firearm or violence, might result in detention until the age of 21.
There’s also another possible outcome — the young person in question might not be guilty at all. Minor defendants still have the right to be presumed innocent, the same as their counterparts in adult criminal courts. Their lawyers can still insist that the law enforcement authorities prove a juvenile defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Not all defendants are guilty, and that’s certainly true for minors.
Results Matter.
What all juvenile defendants, whether they are falsely charged or simply made a mistake, should have is the opportunity for fair treatment by the legal system. Getting that fair treatment often depends on the quality of the lawyer who is handling the case.
At Lopez, Severt & Pratt Co, we have a team of talented lawyers and dedicated staff that give all of our clients attentive, personalized service. You’ll have a direct phone line to your lawyer, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our attorneys have over a century of combined experience.
Call (937) 400-3170 or contact us online to set up a consultation.