Top Ansonia, CT Juvenile Law Lawyers Near You
157 Church St., 19th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510
Other Nearby Offices
DeSantis Law Firm has experience helping clients with their Juvenile needs in Ansonia, Connecticut.
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1055 Washington Boulevard, Suite 510, Stamford, CT 06901
555 Long Wharf Drive, 13th Floor, New Haven, CT 06511
900 Chapel St, 10th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510
One Landmark Square, 21st Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
2051 Main Street, Stratford, CT 06615
383 Orange Street, First Floor, New Haven, CT 06511
1010 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, CT 06901
2000 Post Road, Ste 203, Fairfield, CT 06824
170 Grandview Avenue, Waterbury, CT 06708
80 Fourth St, Suite 9, Stamford, CT 06905
250 Broad St, Milford, CT 06460
900 Main Street South, Southbury, CT 06488
1000 Lafayette Blvd, Suite 702, Bridgeport, CT 06604
One Century Tower, 265 Church St, New Haven, CT 06510
60 Washington Street, Suite 302, Hamden, CT 06518
350 Orange Street, Suite 101, New Haven, CT 06511
1960 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT 06517
348 Frost Road, Waterbury, CT 06705
215 Broad Street, Milford, CT 06460
295 Main Street, West Haven, CT 06516
2425 Post Rd, Suite 101, Southport, CT 06890
233 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06510
One Canterbury Green, 201 Broad Street, Stamford, CT 06901-2138
Suite 101b, 1200 Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06905
Ansonia Juvenile Law Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Juvenile Law attorneys in Ansonia and checks their standing with Connecticut 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
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Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
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 Connecticut?
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.