Indiana Juvenile Crime Attorneys
Put a Team of Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists on Your Child’s Case
Has your child been accused of a criminal offense? Minors face a slightly different criminal procedure than adults, but they will nonetheless need to go through a trial. It is advisable to work with attorneys who understand the juvenile criminal process and who know how to guide your child through court effectively. The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Kamish PC practices exclusively in criminal defense and have a deep knowledge of Indiana’s juvenile justice system. They can help you strategize a strong defense for your child and help them emerge as unscathed as possible. Every child and every family has a deeper story behind their actions; The Criminal Defense Team will help you tell that story. Call us at (317) 565-2221 today!
Schedule a free consultation with The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Kamish PC for more information.
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What Constitutes a Juvenile Offense?
When a minor under the age of 18 years old commits a criminal offense or violates a law that addresses minors (e.g., skipping school), they can be charged with juvenile delinquency. Some examples of juvenile crimes include:
- Traffic violations
- Drunk driving
- Violating curfew
- Not attending school
- Murder and other violent felonies
Juveniles are tried in juvenile court instead of adult court, and the judge may impose orders specific to the crime, such as monitoring your child’s school attendance or other penalties. Depending on your case, you may be able to propose a plan on your own terms to the judge for your child to comply with court orders.
In more severe cases, the judge may transfer a case to the adult court system. This is usually the case for allegations involving “heinous or aggravated acts” like murder and rape or if the juvenile is above a certain age (e.g., 16 years old) and is best tried as an adult for the felony offense. However, crimes like DUI and misdemeanor traffic violations must stay in the juvenile court system.
The Juvenile Court Process
A standard juvenile criminal process will look like the following:
- Law enforcement arrests the juvenile and takes them to the local juvenile detention center. They will notify the juvenile’s parents.
- The probation department will hold a preliminary inquiry hearing to determine whether the juvenile should be released back to their parents or remain at the detention facility.
- The court will schedule a pre-trial date.
- At the trial, the judge will adjudicate the juvenile after hearing from the prosecutor, the probation department, the juvenile’s defense lawyer, and their caregivers. Juveniles are not entitled to a jury trial, so usually, a single judge hears these cases and makes the decision.
- The judge will decide whether to keep the juvenile in the community, order them to participate in a residential treatment facility, or place them in the Juvenile Department of Corrections.
It can feel overwhelming and numbing to realize your child is facing possible criminal detention. The juvenile criminal system operates slightly differently from the adult court system, so it is best to work with attorneys who have specific knowledge of juvenile crime laws.
The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Kamish PC has a practice area dedicated to juvenile crimes defense and will advocate for your child in court. When you work with the firm, you will have a team of attorneys on your single case who will fight aggressively and compassionately for your child and your family.
Our team can help!
Schedule a free consultation with the Board-Certified* Criminal Trial Specialists at The Criminal Defense Team of Baldwin Perry & Kamish PC today to get started.
CONTACT THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE TEAM
If you’re facing charges for manslaughter or reckless homicide, call The Criminal Defense Team today at (317) 565-2221. We can meet with you for an initial consultation to review the facts of your case and determine if we can represent you.