Woburn Juvenile Defense Lawyers

Woburn Juvenile Defense Lawyers Working Hard for Beneficial Results for You and Your Loved Ones

Being charged with a crime is frightening and stressful for anyone. When criminal charges are brought against a juvenile, the situation can seem overwhelming for the child and the parents. The immediate concern is about the potential punishment. The long-term concern is how a conviction will impact the future.

If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, you must seek legal help immediately. Time is of the essence when dealing with juvenile cases. After your child is arrested, they could be released into your custody, or bail could be set depending on the circumstances involved. In cases where it is alleged that a juvenile has committed a serious crime, they could be held in a detention facility.

Regardless of the circumstances involved in the case, it is in your child’s best interest to contact a juvenile criminal defense attorney immediately. Our Woburn juvenile delinquency lawyers have extensive experience helping families when they need it most. Contact Contant Law, P.C. to schedule a free consultation so we may determine how we can help.

What Should I Do Immediately After My Child Has Been Charged With a Juvenile Crime?

In Massachusetts, juvenile court is a separate criminal justice system for minors ages 12 to 18 that deals with delinquency matters. If your child has been charged with a juvenile crime, your first step is to hire a criminal defense attorney with experience in juvenile defense. At Contant Law P.C., our criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience helping accused minors and their families navigate the Massachusetts juvenile court system. 

As criminal defense lawyers, we are committed to advocating for the rights of juveniles, who all have the same rights as adults. The juvenile is our client, not the parent or guardian. The defense attorney’s primary duty is to protect the child in court and their rights and help them avoid a criminal record.

As a parent or guardian, you have the right to be present if the police question your child and at juvenile court hearings. You may also visit them in detention if the court feels it is necessary to place them in a Department of Youth Services (DYS) facility instead of letting them go home.

How is Juvenile Delinquency Determined in Massachusetts?

The state juvenile court system has jurisdiction over crimes that range from minor offenses such as shoplifting to serious felonies such as serious drug offenses, armed robbery, firearms offenses, sexual assault or assault related to domestic violence.

Juvenile court offenses are broken down into two categories, juvenile delinquency and youthful offender matters. Most juveniles are charged with delinquent matters. However, if the child is over the age of 14 and has a previous DYS commitment or is charged with certain enumerated crimes or those involving violent offenses, they may be indicted and treated as youthful offenders. A child who is charged as a youthful offender is subject to greater penalties, which can include adult jail or prison sentences. 

The juvenile has all of the same rights as an adult, including the right to remain silent and trial by judge or jury.  The process is similar to the adult process. The juvenile will appear in court for an arraignment hearing. Bail or conditions of release can be set by the judge. The juvenile will then receive discovery of information about the case from the DA. The juvenile’s attorney can file motions for information or to dismiss the case or suppress certain evidence. If found delinquent after a plea or trial, they will be sentenced by the judge. During a sentencing  hearing, the judge will hear from the prosecution and defense and decide whether the youth should be sentenced to probation, a suspended sentence, or confinement in a DYS facility.

Can Your Law Firm Provide My Child With a Strong Juvenile Defense Strategy?

If your child has been arrested, you are most likely worried they may go to jail. It is understandable to be concerned, as you worry for your child’s future and safety. However, while the majority of minors charged with juvenile crimes do not go to jail, you still should consider hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect your child’s rights.

Although juvenile courts focus more on rehabilitation than sending juveniles to detention facilities, hiring a criminal defense lawyer to create a strong juvenile defense strategy is vital. Each case referred to the juvenile court is carefully scrutinized to determine what is in the child’s and community’s best interest.

When you hire a juvenile criminal defense lawyer, you can negotiate with the prosecutor and ask that your child be placed in a diversion program, probation, or other community-based programs. Unlike the adult system, which often focuses on punishing offenders, the juvenile court system looks for ways to correct poor behavior and help youth make better choices in the future.

Contant Law, P.C., has vast experience handling juvenile criminal law matters and will fight to safeguard your child’s rights and future.

How Can a Juvenile Crime Affect My Child’s Life?

Juvenile court is a serious matter and cannot be taken lightly. Although there is a common misperception that juvenile issues automatically disappear from the record at age 18, that is never the case. The consequences of being found delinquent in juvenile court may follow that child throughout their adult life, affecting their ability to get a loan, go to college, go to graduate school, join the military, or get a job.

Although Massachusetts law considers juvenile records confidential, they may still be reviewed under specific circumstances. The best option is to try to have a juvenile record sealed so that it cannot be easily accessed except by law enforcement authorities or by other agencies conducting employment or adoption background checks.

Juvenile records may be sealed three years after the final court disposition as long as no other offenses have been committed. Some records may be sealed even earlier, if the prosecution ends in the juvenile’s favor, such as charges being dismissed or being found not delinquent at trial. Some juvenile records may be eligible for expungement; however, just as with the adult system, there are very limited options.

Hiring a juvenile criminal defense lawyer like those of Contant Law, P.C., who will represent your child’s interests in court and help them avoid a guilty conviction, is the best way to protect their future. Contact us today to learn more about our legal services.

What Is My Role as a Parent In My Child’s Case?

Contant Law, P.C., understands that if you are a parent whose child has been arrested and accused of a juvenile crime, your first instinct is to do everything you can to protect them. When it comes to your child facing charges, it can be challenging to step back from the situation, but the parent or guardian’s role is to parent. Providing emotional support is the most important way you can help the criminal defense attorney do their job.

We welcome and encourage input and discussion involving the parents, but ultimately, the best option is to allow a Woburn criminal defense lawyer to advise you on the best way to handle the matter. Our well-trained lawyers understand the complexities of dealing with the juvenile legal system and know what it takes to get results.

No parent ever wants to watch their child go to court and deal with the uncertainty of the future. If your child is facing criminal charges, the best choice you can make to help them is to hire a Woburn criminal defense attorney who will provide aggressive representation in court and ensure they are treated fairly.

Why Should I Trust Your Law Firm With My Child’s Future?

Whatever the charge your child is facing, at Contant Law, P.C., we are committed to listening, advising, and being with you through every step of the process to defend the juvenile’s rights and work together toward a successful conclusion.

When you come to us for help, we will thoroughly evaluate all aspects of the case to determine what legal strategy will be in your child’s best interests. Our attorneys have a working relationship with prosecutors and will work to find a solution that protects your child’s legal rights and allows them to achieve their life goals in the future.

Contact Contant Law, P.C. at our Woburn, Massachusetts law office by calling (617) 221-8221 to schedule a free no-obligation case evaluation so we may determine how we can help.