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Top Kansas City, MO Juvenile Law Lawyers Near You

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Pleasant Hill Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

1803 Trail Ridge Dr, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Blue Springs Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

1114 W. Main Street, Suite 225, Blue Springs, MO 64015

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 1500, Kansas City, MO 64108

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

4600 Madison Ave, Suite 1000, Kansas City, MO 64112

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 2200, Kansas City, MO 64108

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

1005 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

1609 W 92 St, Kansas City, MO 64114

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Independence Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

14801 E. 42nd Street South, Suite 1500, Independence, MO 64050

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

5555 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

7501 Tiffany Springs Pkwy, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64153

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Liberty Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

17 W. Kansas St., Liberty, MO 64068

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

2300 Main St., Ste. 900, Kansas City, MO 64108

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

600 East 8th Street, Suite A, Kansas City, MO 64106

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Independence Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

19049 E Valley View Parkway, Suite B, Independence, MO 64055

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

1609 W. 92nd St., Kansas City, MO 64114

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

4049 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 201, Kansas City, MO 64111

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Liberty Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

11 East Kansas, Liberty, MO 64068

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

926 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO 64106

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

1201 Walnut Street, Suite 2900, Kansas City, MO 64106

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

1821 Wyandotte Street, Ste. 200, Kansas City, MO 64108

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

1100 Main Street, Suite 2800, Kansas City, MO 64105

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Independence Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

233 West Walnut Street, Independence, MO 64050-3825

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Independence Office | Serving Kansas City, MO

14701 East 42nd Street, Independence, MO 64055

Juvenile Law Lawyers | Kansas City Office

4900 Main St, Suite 150, Kansas City, MO 64112

Kansas City Juvenile Law Information

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Lead Counsel Verified Attorneys In Kansas City

Lead Counsel independently verifies Juvenile Law attorneys in Kansas City and checks their standing with Missouri bar associations.

Our Verification Process and Criteria
  • Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
  • Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
  • Annual Review Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.
  • Client Commitment Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.

Find a Juvenile Law Attorney near Kansas City

Dealing With Juvenile Law Issues?

If 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.

Who Qualifies As a Juvenile?

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.

What Are Some Types of Juvenile Crime?

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.

Different Types of Juvenile Charges

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.

What Are the Possible Penalties for Juvenile Offenses in Missouri?

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.

When Are Juveniles Tried As Adults?

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.

Can Juveniles Get Life Sentences or the Death Penalty?

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.

What Does a Juvenile Crime Lawyer Do?

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.

What sort of issues can I seek legal help with?

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.

How to Prepare for Your Initial Consultation

Prepare for your consultation by writing down notes of your understanding of the case, jot down questions and concerns for the attorney, and gather your documents. Remember that you are trying to get a sense of whether the attorney has your trust and can help you address your legal issues. Questions should include how the attorney intends to resolve your issue, how many years he/she has been practicing law and specifically practicing in your area, as well as how many cases similar to yours the attorney has handled. It can also be helpful to broach the subject of fees so that you understand the likely cost and structure of your representation by a specific attorney and/or legal team.

How will an attorney charge me?

A reputable attorney will be very upfront about how he/she will charge you. The three most common fee structures that attorneys use to charge for their services are:

  • Bill by the hour
  • Contingent fee agreement
  • Flat fee agreement

Depending on your specific legal situation, it’s possible that only one type of fee structure is available. For instance, criminal defense attorneys almost always bill by the hour. In a flat fee arrangement, an attorney accepts a one-time payment to help you resolve your issue. With a contingent fee agreement, the client pays little to nothing upfront and the attorney receives a percentage of the money recovered if you win your case.

Common legal terms explained

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.

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