Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
400 West Market Street, Suite 3200, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Prospect Office | Serving Louisville, KY
9301 Dayflower St., Prospect, KY 40059
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
10200 Forest Green Boulevard, Suite 407, Louisville, KY 40223
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
214 South Clay St, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
500 West Jefferson, Suite 2100, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
500 W Jefferson St, Suite 2400, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
220 West Main Street, Suite 1900, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
600 W Main St, Suite 100, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
400 West Market Street, Suite 2300, Louisville, KY 40202-3354
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
600 West Main Street, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
401 West Main Street, Suite 1807, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
101 South 5th Street, Suite 2500, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
9300 Shelbyville Road, Suite 400, Louisville, KY 40222
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
101 South Fifth Street, 3500 PNC Tower, Louisville, KY 40202-3140
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
214 S Clay St, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
400 West Market Street, Suite 1800, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
400 W Market St, Suite 2000, Louisville, KY 40202-2898
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
222 E Wittherspoon St, Suite 401, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
600 W Main St Ste 300, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
635 W Main St, Suite 300B, Louisville, KY 40202
Juvenile Law Lawyers | Louisville Office
600 West Main Street, Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40202
Lead Counsel independently verifies Juvenile Law attorneys in Louisville and checks their standing with Kentucky bar associations.
Our Verification Process and CriteriaIf your child is facing criminal charges, it is important to get the best legal representation possible because a criminal record will follow your child as each educational and employment opportunity becomes available. A juvenile attorney will be able to help your family seek a resolution that protects your child’s current best interests and their future prospects.
In terms of criminal law and the definitions surrounding juvenile offenses, most states and the federal government consider those who have not yet turned 18 years of age to be juveniles. Three states — Georgia, Texas and Wisconsin — instead restrict the protections afforded to juvenile offenders to those aged 16 or younger.
There is also a provision that allows those who are older than 18, but younger than 21, to claim legal juvenile status if they are being charged with an offense that was commissioned before the defendant attained the age of majority.
According to the Department of Justice, some of the most common offenses conducted by juvenile offenders include simple assault, disorderly conduct, drug-related crimes, weapons-related offenses, vandalism, liquor law violations and various forms of theft (burglary, automobile theft, etc.).
Juveniles are generally capable of committing any crime that an adult might. However, certain juvenile offenses (say, being in possession of alcohol) are offenses related strictly to the age of the individual in possession. Juvenile crime related to statutory rape (between two minors) can also be a form of offense that so-called “Romeo and Juliet” laws were enacted to combat.
Juveniles can be charged with any criminal offense; same as an adult, but their cases are usually handled in the Juvenile Courts. Some juvenile law charges include underage possession of alcohol, drug crimes, gang involvement, vandalism and juvenile DUI. Other juvenile law-related issues include disciplinary actions at school and foster care issues.
A juvenile lawyer can also provide direction for juveniles and their families to programs that will help the juvenile’s defense by minimizing the risk of the youth from re-offending and preventing future criminal behavior issues.
While juvenile offenders (or juvenile delinquents, if deemed so from a legal perspective) are afforded some protections (exempt from serving time in prison unless tried and convicted as an adult, for more serious offenses, where applicable) they do remain culpable for crimes committed.
A juvenile offender who is convicted could be facing court-order probation, mandatory counseling or therapy sessions, mandatory drug or alcohol rehabilitation, fines or monetary restitution, community service or even a term in detention (also termed “residence facilities”).
In situations where a juvenile is being tried as an adult, the sentencing is typically expected to match the severity of the crime. Despite the surprising frequency of this occurrence (generally for the most severe offenses, or for extreme incidences of repeat offenses), some such instances become high-profile cases with the attendant media exposure.
In order to be tried as an adult, juvenile offenders must be meted out a waiver to adult court. Most states require that a juvenile offender be the age of 16 (though some states have no age limit appended to more serious charges, such as murder) in order for such a waiver to be handed down by the court.
Reasons for a juvenile being tried as an adult include, but are not limited to: the commission of a very grave or serious offense such as rape or murder, the offender having a lengthy juvenile record or a number of failed rehabilitation attempts having been made in the past.
It is estimated that approximately 250,000 juvenile offenders are tried as adults, per year, in the United States.
As a result of several relatively recent Supreme Court decisions, juvenile offenders are not able to be sentenced to death, nor sentenced to life in prison without parole in response to any crime other than those related to homicide.
A juvenile crime lawyer or criminal defense attorney is familiar with established case law, past precedent, and current statutes surrounding juvenile delinquency. These attorneys specialize in defending juvenile clients facing charges and can help defendants to navigate the juvenile justice system.
All juveniles facing court due to alleged offenses are entitled to an attorney, regardless of their ability — or the ability of their parents or guardians — to pay. It is extremely important to secure adequate legal representation if you are facing charges as a juvenile. If found guilty of the offenses levied against you, depending on the severity of the charges, you could be placed in detention or even tried as an adult, as exhibited above.
The creation of a criminal record as a result of having been tried, and convicted, as an adult can be extremely damaging to any young man or woman. Therefore, it’s important to work with a criminal defense lawyer.
Specialized legal help is available for most legal issues. Each case is unique; seeking legal help is a smart first step toward understanding your legal situation and seeking the best path toward resolution for your case. An experienced lawyer understands the local laws surrounding your case and what your best legal options might be. More importantly, there are certain situations and circumstances – such as being charged with a crime – where you should always seek experienced legal help.
The goal of an initial consultation is to find an attorney you are comfortable working with and someone who can help you understand your options under the law. Seek to understand the relevant legal experience the attorney brings to your case. While it is not realistic to expect an attorney to resolve your legal issue during an initial consultation, you should gain a level of comfort with his/her ability to do so. A good consultation can clarify issues, raise pertinent questions and considerations for your case, and help you make an informed decision towards resolving your legal issue.
Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.
Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.
Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.