Seattle Juvenile Defense Lawyer Knows How to Help Juvenile Offenders
Juvenile crime is a problem in our country. Experienced Seattle juvenile defense attorney Kevin Trombold understands what’s at stake when your child is accused of committing a juvenile crime and he will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome. When you call the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold after your child has been arrested, he can fight hard to have the charge reduced or dismissed. If that option isn’t open, he will craft an aggressive defense and use every available legal tool to protect your child’s future. Contact juvenile attorney Kevin Trombold immediately if your child is arrested and facing any charge in the Seattle area. A conviction in the teenage courts may have lasting ramifications that can negatively affect your child for years to come.
WHAT DOES A JUVENILE DEFENSE ATTORNEY DO IN SEATTLE?
If your child is arrested, take action at once by seeking legal help. What are the duties of a juvenile law attorney in these cases? Swift intervention by an experienced Seattle juvenile defense attorney may be able to keep a matter out of the juvenile justice system or reduce the negative consequences of a juvenile court proceeding. Washington’s juvenile justice system deals with juvenile cases in a variety of ways, always taking into account the severity of the violation and the circumstances and background of alleged juvenile offenders. While rehabilitation rather than punishment is the aim of Washington’s juvenile justice programs, juveniles have the same legal rights as anyone else when charged with a crime, and a prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to obtain a conviction. Seek representation from experienced Seattle juvenile defense attorney Kevin Trombold, who can handle your child’s case and fight for the justice your family deserves.
HOW ARE JUVENILE OFFENDERS PROCESSED?
What happens to juvenile offenders? Every charge brought against a juvenile defendant begins with an arrest by the police. The arrest can either be court ordered, or made because the law enforcement officer has probable cause to do so.
Once the arrest has been made, the law enforcement officer turns the case over to the prosecutor, who will decide how to handle juvenile offenders. The prosecutor will determine whether charges should be filed and if so, which ones. The prosecutor is not required to file any charges. Parents or caretakers of juveniles who are being charged with a crime should always contact an attorney at this point in the criminal court proceedings.
WHERE DO JUVENILE OFFENDERS GO AFTER AN ARREST?
After an arrest, juveniles are usually turned over to their parents or taken to a juvenile detention facility. It is not as common for juveniles to be taken to a detention center after an arrest, but if they are, they must be given a detention hearing before the end of the next court day. During this hearing, the judge will decide whether the juvenile should stay in the detention center or be turned over to his or her parents. This is determined based on the crime, the juvenile’s prior criminal history and whether or not the juvenile poses a safety risk to the community.
KING COUNTY LAW FIRM EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUVENILE VS. CRIMINAL COURT
Juvenile crimes are not tried in a typical criminal court. However, sometimes prosecutors can decline to file charges with the Washington State Juvenile Court System and instead request that the case be transferred to adult court because of the severity of the crime. If you do not already have an attorney, now is the time to call one. Being charged as an adult leaves your child vulnerable to much more severe consequences that could follow him or her for the rest of his or her life. This is why juvenile court is important, and why you need an attorney to help you fight against transferring the case to adult criminal court. After hearing both sides of the argument, the judge will decide whether to transfer the case to adult court or keep it in juvenile court based on:
- The crime committed. Violent crimes and sex crimes are considered to be the most serious that could lead to the case being transferred to adult court.
- The prior criminal record of the juvenile.
- How old the juvenile is. If the juvenile is sixteen or older, he or she faces a greater chance that he or she could be charged as an adult.
Why shouldn’t juvenile offenders be tried as adults in all cases? The law prefers to treat juveniles as minors and help them learn from their mistakes instead of handing out harsh criminal sentences. Juvenile punishments for crimes are not nearly as severe as adult punishments, but the hope is these minors are set straight before they become adults.
HOW ARE JUVENILE OFFENDERS TREATED DURING THE TRIAL ACCORDING TO SEATTLE LAWYERS?
If charges are filed, your child will have to come to an arraignment hearing where a lawyer will advise the defendant to plead guilty or not guilty. If the case goes to trial, it will be brought before a Juvenile Court judge and not a jury. The judge will be the sole person to determine whether or not the defendant has committed a crime and what the sentence should be. Trials are always held within 30 days of the arraignment hearing if the child is being held in detention, and within 60 days of the arraignment hearing if the child is not being held in detention.
Another outcome of juvenile charges is diversion. This occurs when the prosecutor decides to keep the case out of the juvenile courts completely and instead diverts it to a community board. The defendant does not have to plead guilty or not guilty during diversion. Instead, the defendant and his or her parents meet with a group of community volunteers to come up with an agreement involving counseling, drug or alcohol education classes, restitution, community service, or a mandatory curfew. If the defendant does not follow the agreement, charges may be filed and the case will be brought to court.
Prosecutors choose to divert cases when the crime is not considered serious or it is a first offense. If the defendant follows the agreement and completes what is expected, the juvenile will not have a juvenile criminal record and all charges will be dismissed. This is considered a very favorable outcome for a juvenile charged with a crime.
THE RIGHT HELP FROM THE RIGHT ATTORNEYS WHO KNOW HOW TO COUNSEL JUVENILE OFFENDERS
A criminal charge can negatively affect the lives of children, so don’t take any chances by working with a criminal defense attorney who doesn’t have experience handling juvenile crimes cases. Contact one of the top law firms in the area—The Law Offices of Kevin Trombold. Some of Mr. Trombold’s many practice areas include domestic violence, DUI, assault, and other felony and misdemeanor offenses. Seattle criminal defense attorney Kevin Trombold and the rest of his team fight tirelessly to protect the rights of clients and their families in juvenile law cases. Mr. Trombold has defended the accused for over twenty years, and has now become one of the most well-respected attorneys in the area. If your child is charged with a crime in or near the Seattle area, please contact the Law Offices of Kevin Trombold by calling our phone at 206-249-9656 or sending us an email through the form on this site for a free initial consultation. Our office is located at 720 3rd. Avenue, Suite #2015 in Seattle, WA, 98104.
