St. George Juvenile Defense Attorney

Not all juvenile criminal cases will go to court. The purported purpose of the juvenile court system is to rehabilitate minors who have landed in bad situations for one reason or another. However, this does not mean that your child is not facing threats to his or her future.

How the Juvenile Court System Works:

• If a minor commits what is known as a “holdable” offense—such as breaking and entering or distributing a controlled substance, like cannabis—he or she may be taken to “detention” (D.T.). This is essentially the juvenile equivalent of jail. A minor may also be sent to D.T. if he/she has prior criminal convictions, fails to abide by court-ordered placement, or fails to appear at a mandatory hearing.
• Before attending court, the minor will typically be asked to attend a preliminary inquiry. This hearing is voluntary and can involve the minor, his or her parent/guardian, an attorney, and a court intake worker. While this the preliminary inquiry is not mandatory, it is where the court worker will decide if the charges should be handled informally or if the minor will need to go before a judge.
• To prepare for the preliminary inquiry, the minor should be ready to answer questions regarding his or her future goals, family relationships, school environment, friends and peers, and more. Parents/guardians should also be prepared to answer questions regarding the minor’s past behavior, health history, and more
• After the inquiry, the court worker will determine whether or not the minor needs to go before a judge. If this is not necessary, the minor, parents/guardians, and court worker will likely create a non-judicial agreement. This agreement may include terms, such as fines and, community service hours, probation, drug/alcohol treatment programs, and more.

• If the minor denies the charges against him/her or has been charged with a Class A misdemeanor or a felony, he or she will need to appear before a judge in juvenile court. This process begins with the arraignment and may lead to either a plea bargain or trial.

The outcome of your child’s case—and, therefore, his or her future—depends on a number of factors, not least of which is having a skilled St. George juvenile crime lawyer on your side. I am prepared to help you and your family navigate the legal process from start to finish, providing zealous advocacy and tireless representation every step of the way.

What Is Juvenile Delinquency?

Juvenile delinquency refers to an individual, under the age of 18, who perpetrates criminal offenses. Some common infractions include trespassing, theft, simple assault, possession of alcohol or substances, and vandalism.

What Crimes Can Juveniles Be Charged as Adults?

In Utah, a juvenile at the age of 16 or older can be charged as an adult for certain types of severe felonies. This may include charges of murder, aggravated murder, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, or aggravated burglary, amongst other offenses provided under Utah’s Serious Youth Offender Law. Additionally, a juvenile that is 14 can potentially be tried in an adult court by the prosecution following felony charges if the judge allows it. 

Call my St. George office at (435) 740-8460 for a free, confidential consultation. Payment plans are available.