- Criminal Appeal
- Felony Criminal Defense
- Abogado Penalista
- Misdemeanor Criminal Defense
- Criminal Defense
- Parental Liability
- Post-Conviction Relief Expungement
- Probation Violations
- Traffic Tickets
- Child Pornography
- Assault and Battery Defense
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Battery and Spousal Abuse
- Domestic Violence Sentencing
- Domestic Assault
- Domestic Violence Arrest
- Felony Domestic Violence
- Federal Drug Charges
- Drug Possession
- Drugs
- Drug Charge Defense
- DUI OUI
- DUI Defense
- Felony DUI and Drunk Driving Defense
- DUI Breathalyzer Test
- Drunk Driving and Auto Insurance
- Drugs Searches and Seizures
- DUI and DWI
- Identity Theft
- Federal Criminal Defense
- Federal Crimes
- Federal Grand Jury Defense
- Internet Fraud Recovery
- Internet Crime Defense
- Internet Crime
- Juvenile Defense
- Juvenile Criminal Defense
- Sex Offenses
- Sexual Assault Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Sex Crime
- Sexual Offenses False Allegations
- Sex Crime Defense
- Sex Crimes
- Traffic Offenses
- Traffic Stop Search and Seizure
- Violent Crime Defense
- Defense for Licensed Professionals
- White Collar Crimes Insider Trading
- White Collar Crime Penalties
- Financial Crime Defense
- Money Laundering and Fraud Defense
- Fraud
- Sitemap
- Web Resources
Juvenile Matters FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Juvenile Matters
Q: What is juvenile court?
A: Children who break the law are subject to a separate judicial system called the juvenile court system (in some states, the court may be called Family Court or Probate Court). Generally, the focus of the juvenile court system is more on rehabilitation than on punishment. In some cases, however, older juveniles who commit more serious crimes will be charged as adults and tried in the regular criminal courts. In such cases, sentences will be more in accord with adult punishment, whereas in juvenile court any incarceration is usually in a more rehabilitative setting and generally ends when the juvenile attains the age of majority.
If you have questions about being Trial as an Adult, contact an Indiana juvenile justice lawyer now!
Q: What is the maximum age for juvenile court?
A: The most common maximum age for a child to be in juvenile court is seventeen years, although some states set a maximum of fifteen or sixteen. Some states set different ages for particular types of crimes. In most states, cases involving a juvenile of any age may be transferred to adult court.
Q: What is an "adjudication"?
A: An adjudication is a finding by a juvenile court that a child committed a delinquent act. An adjudication is generally not considered a conviction for a crime, as that term is used on employment applications, and an adjudication will not deprive the juvenile of civil rights, such as the right to vote.
Q: Does an adjudication stay on a child's record?
A: Juvenile court proceedings are, with a few exceptions, confidential. The public is not allowed to attend court hearings, and the records are not opened to the public.
In most states, an adjudication stays on a child's record only for juvenile court purposes, to determine if a child is a repeat offender, or if the conditions of probation have been complied with. Once a juvenile becomes an adult, his or her record is permanently sealed, and cannot be reopened for any purpose.
Q: Are children locked up in the same places as adults?
A: Federal law strongly discourages keeping children confined with adult offenders or suspects. The law requires physical and visual separation of juveniles and adults. Usually, a child is to be confined with adults for no more than six hours, while awaiting a transfer to a juvenile facility.
Since the juvenile court system is meant to rehabilitate rather than punish, juveniles who are incarcerated are sent to places very different from adult jails. Many juvenile facilities are more like an ordinary residence than a prison.
Q: What is "diversion"?
A: May cases involving juveniles are not heard in court. The child's case is handled by another agency, usually a public or private social services agency. This is known as "diversion." The child, the child's parents, and the agency come to some agreement about how to handle the child's offense. This will often involve meeting certain conditions, such as, restitution, community service, counseling, or school attendance. If the child meets all of the conditions agreed to, the case will be dismissed without court action. If the conditions are not met, the child may be referred to juvenile court.
Q: What is "restitution"?
A: Restitution involves ordering the juvenile to pay the victim a sum of money designed to compensate the victim for the monetary costs of the crime, usually, property damage. A juvenile court will often order restitution as a condition of probation.
Q: We have paid for the damage done by our child, and the victim says he's satisfied, and the matter is closed. Will the court drop the case?
A: Probably not, although the fact that restitution has been made will be considered by the court. Forgiveness by the victim, or parental punishment, may be a factor in determining the court's sentence, but it is not a reason for the case to be dropped.
Q: What is a "status offense"?
A: A status offense is an offense that would not be a crime if committed by an adult. The most common status offenses are truancy, curfew violations, or underage consumption or possession of alcohol. Other status offenses include "incorrigibility."
All states have enacted laws or rules that provide that status offenders may not be sentenced to incarceration.
Q: Do we need a lawyer to represent my child even if my child is innocent?
A: Every child involved in the juvenile court system needs an attorney. Children who have not done anything wrong are perhaps in even greater need of zealous representation throughout the process to ensure that their rights are protected and that the truth prevails. Even innocent children end up being punished, so the best way to prevent that injustice is to employ the services of a seasoned veteran of criminal defense law.
Q: If my child simply intends to plead guilty, why does he or she need a lawyer?
A: In some states, your child may not be allowed to plead guilty unless he or she has spoken with an attorney.
Even if your child is guilty of the crime with which he or she is charged, it is imperative that you seek the advice of experienced counsel so that the sentence can be minimized, and your child can maximize the opportunities to move ahead toward a brighter future. Juvenile defense attorneys are needed to equalize the balance of power between the child and the prosecution and to ensure that the constitutional rights that are guaranteed to all juvenile defendants, whether guilty or not, are preserved.
If you have questions about being Trial as an Adult, contact an Indiana juvenile justice lawyer now!
Juvenile Matters FAQs » Attorneys and Lawyers Serving Indiana
The Importance Of Choosing An Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer
Anyone who may have to face criminal charges is dealing with a future that is uncertain at best. For this reason, one should avail himself or herself to the services of a professional Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer, rather than attempt to fight the charges alone. When arguing such a case, the person representing the defendant [...]
Stay Clear of Business Litigations with Proper Legal Help
As a businessperson you need to handle a lot of things all by yourself. There are issues related to the finance. This is the most important aspect of any business. You are working because you want to earn money. For this you need to take care of the recruitment. You need to make big decisions [...]
Effect of bankruptcy on personal injury claim
People who are contemplating filing bankruptcy often wonder whether it will affect their existing personal injury claim. Therefore, you need to follow some essential steps concerning your personal injury claim before filing a bankruptcy petition. When the debt stricken consumers file bankruptcy, the last resort to debt relief program they should make a list of [...]
Seek Legal Refuge from Resisting without Violence Charges
Resisting a law enforcement officer without violence is popularly known as obstruction of justice and this is a misdemeanor offense. People get entangled in this kind of offense without even intending to. The tragic part is that you may not even be aware that you are committing any kind of offense. This offense occurs when [...]
Take Care of Warrants with Legal Help
A warrant is a legal notice. This is the government issued document which permits the law enforcers to arrest an individual for wrong doing. An outstanding warrant means the negligent act of either paying a traffic ticket or may be failing to serve community service. This type of act may go unnoticed by the law [...]
Getting An Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer To Win Your Case
If you are facing any sort of criminal charges then your future is in a precarious position and you need the services of an experienced Indianapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer to argue the case for you. Knowledge of the law is very important since the lawyer has to know how far he can go with the [...]
Garrison Law Firm
8720 Castlecreek Pkwy
Suite # 200
Indianapolis, IN 46250
(317) 572 7717
Click on the +1 if you like this site!
Warren Park, Benton House, Sunnyview, Beech Grove, Edgewood, Homecroft, Lindenwood, Maywood, Wayne Township, Chapel Hill, Six Points, Westwood, Brownsburg, Wynnedale, Pike Township, Crows Nest, Williams Creeks, Carmel, Fishers, Millersville, Germantown, Lawrence, Cumberland, Greenfield, Wanamaker, Greenwood, Mooresvilles, Maywood, Belmont, Fountain Square