Juvenile Defense Attorneys
Juvenile defense is the area of criminal law applicable
to persons not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts. In
most states, the age for criminal culpability is set at 18 years. Juvenile
law is mainly governed by state law and most states have enacted a juvenile
code. The main goal of the juvenile justice system is rehabilitation rather
than punishment. Juveniles can be transferred into adult court if the
juvenile court waives or relinquishes its jurisdiction.
In juvenile law, the criminal process isn't like that of adults. Instead
of being charged with a specific crime, juveniles are usually charged
with being a delinquent or engaging in delinquent behavior. The case is
brought before a juvenile court judge who sentences the delinquent.
State statutes creating juvenile courts and providing methods for dealing
with juvenile delinquency have generally been upheld by courts as an acceptable
extension of state police power to ensure the safety and welfare of children.
The Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act defines juvenile delinquency (any
act that is otherwise a crime, but is committed by someone under 18 years
of age) and sets forth rules by which state laws must comply with regard
to juvenile court procedures and punishments.
Juveniles have different rights than adults, too. They don't have the
right to a trial by jury. If a juvenile is accused of committing a very
serious offense, such as murder or rape, the District Attorney, with the
judge's permission, may decide to try the offender as an adult. The minimum
age for a juvenile to be tried as an adult is differs from state to state,
but can be as young as fourteen.
An Attorney For You is a free consumer service. We are
not a law firm. We help consumers find the best representation for their
legal needs. Our service allows the consumer to review responses by many
law firms. This process introduces competition amongst the law firms and
allows the consumer to find superior legal representation.
Fill out one simple form and get responses from Juvenile Defense
attorneys competing for your case. Email up to 10 law firms in
one click; you review the responses in order to choose the right attorney
for you. | 
