DeKalb County Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Robert James Trial Attorney, a criminal defense attorney, realizes the heightened gravity of cases involving juveniles. When the future of a child is determined by the outcome of the case, you cannot afford to simply hope for the best. You need a plan crafted by someone with seasoned experience.

Call a DeKalb County juvenile defense lawyer today and we can face this case together.

What Right Does a Juvenile Taken Into Custody Have?

The rights a juvenile has taken into custody in DeKalb County has is the right to make bail if they are detained. The facility that a youth will be detained at will vary depending on the offense.

If you were charged with a delinquent act (which are adult crimes) will be sent to a regional youth detention center. Juveniles used to be jailed in an adult facility but this is only done in certain situations.

Is a 17 Year Old a Juvenile?

A 17 year old will have their case be heard in a municipal, state, or superior court and you will be sentenced as an adult. For criminal law purposes in Georgia, you are an adult. Anything that happens in your case will affect you the rest of your life, and your criminal record is permanent.

Facing criminal charges can be especially troubling for 17 year olds and other youthful offenders because a conviction could potentially follow you for the rest of your life. Being 17 years old also means you will face harsher consequences regarding your driver’s license. Drivers under 18 who accumulate four or more points in any 12 month period, you will face a six month driver’s license suspension.

Why Does Georgia Have a Policy to Allow Juveniles to be Charged as Adults?

Georgia has a policy that allows juveniles to be charged as adults because of a law in 1994. The law allows juveniles to be charged as adults if they commit the following:

• Discretionary transfer – When a youth between the ages of 13-15 commits a crime that would be considered a felony if committed by an adult
• Statutory exclusion – When a child between the ages of 13-17 commits a felony with an extremely aggravated level of violence

One of the most important distingushing factors that separates juvenile courts from adult courts is their dedication to privacy. While in adult courts the proceedings are open to the public, the only people allowed in a juvenile court are those directly involved in the judicial process.

Pre-Trial Resolution

Another significant difference is that generally, legal representation is given an opportunity to meet with the prosecutor to resolve the case before going to trial. This is a key moment for a DeKalb County juvenile defense attorney to secure an outcome for the accused that enables them to stay in school and work on assimilating back into society without a dramatic disruption of their life.

Juvenile Court Jurisdiction

Offenses committed prior to a child’s 17^th birthday can be tried in juvenile court. There is no minimum age that a child can be adjudicated delinquent. After the age of 17, the person will be charged in adult court. However, there are cases when the youth is tried as an adult before their 17^th birthday.

School Board Advocacy

Lastly, our DeKalb County juvenile defense attorneys are able to work on our client’s behalf with their school board. Unfortunately, in many cases schools seek to suspend or expel children who are charged with a crime. However, it is oftentimes possible to negotiate with the board and come to a resolution that allows for the child to continue receiving an education and avoid further legal trouble.

Discuss Your Options with a DeKalb County Juvenile Defense Attorney

When your child’s future is at stake, it is essential to find a criminal defense lawyer that is compassionate in his dealings with your child while aggressive in the courts. Robert James Trial Attorney knows how to defend clients facing serious criminal charges.

Set up your free case consultation with a DeKalb County juvenile defense lawyer today.