Juvenile defense screener

Legal information only. Juvenile law varies significantly by state. This screener provides general guidance only. A juvenile defense attorney in your state is essential for any serious charge. See our full disclaimer.

Minor's age at time of offense

Most serious charge

Prior juvenile record

School and community standing

Family and home environment

Juvenile case evaluation

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A juvenile defense attorney protects the minor's record, advocates for diversion, and fights transfer to adult court when necessary. Early intervention produces dramatically better outcomes. Free consultation.

How is juvenile court different from adult criminal court?

The juvenile justice system was designed around rehabilitation rather than punishment. Juvenile courts use different terminology - a "petition" instead of an indictment, "adjudication" instead of conviction, "disposition" instead of sentencing. The focus is on the minor's best interests and rehabilitation potential, which opens the door to alternatives that don't exist in adult court: diversion programs, community service, counseling, and probation without an adult criminal record.

The most critical difference is record sealing. Juvenile adjudications are automatically sealed in most states when the minor reaches 18 or 21, meaning the juvenile record doesn't follow them into adulthood. This makes aggressive juvenile defense - especially pursuing diversion before any formal adjudication - one of the highest-value legal services for families. If Miranda rights were violated during the minor's arrest or questioning, the Miranda rights checker identifies suppression opportunities that apply with extra force in juvenile cases. A record expungement check can also help older teens whose juvenile records weren't automatically sealed.

When can a juvenile be tried as an adult?

Transfer to adult court (also called waiver or certification) is possible for serious offenses. Most states allow transfer for juveniles 14 and older charged with serious violent felonies. Some states mandate transfer for certain offenses (murder, rape) regardless of age. Transfer is decided at a waiver hearing where the judge considers the minor's age, the nature of the offense, criminal history, amenability to rehabilitation, and public safety. An attorney's advocacy at the waiver hearing is the single most important intervention in a serious juvenile case - a successful challenge to transfer means the entire case stays in the more favorable juvenile system.

What is a juvenile diversion program and who qualifies?

Juvenile diversion allows first-time or low-level offenders to complete an alternative program - community service, counseling, restorative justice, or a teen court - in exchange for dismissal of charges without a formal adjudication. Successful completion means no juvenile record. Eligibility typically requires a first offense, non-violent conduct, and family engagement. Diversion is available in all 50 states and handled at the intake level, often before a petition is even filed. An attorney who contacts the intake officer immediately after arrest can advocate for diversion before the formal process begins.

What rights do juveniles have that parents need to know?

Juveniles have the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney (with heightened protections for Miranda waivers given age), and the right to a fair adjudication hearing. They generally do not have the right to a jury trial in juvenile court - the judge decides. Parents should know that school officials who question a minor about potential criminal conduct are not required to give Miranda warnings. Statements made to school administrators are generally admissible. Police stationed in schools (school resource officers) are law enforcement - a minor questioned by an SRO should request an attorney immediately.

Frequently asked questions about juvenile charges

It depends on whether the record is sealed and what colleges ask. Most juvenile records are sealed at 18 or 21, and sealed records generally don't need to be disclosed on college applications. Some colleges ask about "pending charges" or "juvenile adjudications" specifically - in those cases, disclosure may be required even for sealed records. Some scholarship applications also ask specifically about juvenile records. An attorney can advise on disclosure obligations in your state and for specific applications. Avoiding any formal adjudication through diversion eliminates the issue entirely.

In juvenile court, the most serious disposition is commitment to a juvenile detention facility or youth correctional center - not adult prison. Commitment is reserved for serious or repeat offenders and typically lasts until the minor's 18th or 21st birthday. If transferred to adult court and convicted, a minor can receive an adult prison sentence. For the most serious offenses (murder), some states allow adult sentences for juveniles, though the Supreme Court has significantly limited mandatory life without parole for juveniles in Miller v. Alabama (2012).

For any charge beyond a minor status offense, a private juvenile defense attorney provides substantially better outcomes in most jurisdictions. Public defenders handle very high caseloads and have limited time for each case. Juvenile defense is a specialized practice - an attorney who primarily handles adult cases may not be familiar with juvenile diversion programs, waiver hearing procedures, or record sealing rules in your specific county. The investment in a private juvenile defense attorney for a serious charge is typically $2,500 to $7,500 - a fraction of the lifetime impact of an adult criminal record if the case is mishandled.

Do not allow the minor to be questioned without an attorney present. Invoke the minor's right to remain silent and right to an attorney immediately and clearly. Then contact a juvenile defense attorney before any statements are made, before any diversion offer is accepted or rejected, and before the intake interview with the probation officer. The intake interview - which happens very early in the process - significantly influences whether diversion or formal petition is pursued. An attorney present at intake can shape that decision in the minor's favor.

Automatic sealing at 18 applies in many but not all states. Some states require a petition to seal the record. Some serious juvenile offenses (violent felonies, sex offenses) are not automatically sealed even in states with general automatic sealing. FBI records and sex offender registries are not always cleared by state-level sealing orders. An attorney confirms what your state automatically seals, what requires a petition, and what remains accessible. Don't assume the record is gone at 18 without confirming with an attorney in your state.