Juvenile Defense Lawyers

When A Young Family Member Runs Afoul Of The Law

Juvenile crimes are usually defined as crimes committed by people under 18. In certain cases, juveniles can be tried as adults for serious crimes. Any criminal charge should be taken with utmost seriousness.

Juvenile crimes are viewed very differently from adult crimes. In Pennsylvania, these cases are handled in juvenile courts, and sentencing is supposed to be rehabilitative, not punitive, in nature. However, a conviction (which is technically referred to as being adjudicated delinquent) can still affect a young person’s life for years: A minor adjudicated of a crime can be kept on court supervision until the age of 21.

Talk To An Attorney | Get Advice About Your Juvenile Case

If your son or daughter was arrested or is scheduled to appear in juvenile court, you have choices about how to proceed. At Bellwoar Kelly, LLP in West Chester, Pennsylvania, our juvenile defense lawyers can give you the advice you need regarding those choices. Our criminal defense attorneys have significant experience with juvenile cases, including cases involving:

• Assaults and fights
• Drug charges related to marijuana, prescription drugs, heroin and other controlled substances
• Theft and property crimes
• Underage drinking
• DUI, which is often charged if a driver is under age 21 and has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .02 or above
• Sex crimes
• Gang-related crimes such as conspiracy

A juvenile conviction can have repercussions that impact a young person’s educational prospects and job opportunities, so it is essential to handle any juvenile arrest carefully. If your son or daughter was arrested, make sure that he or she does not talk to the police or prosecutors about the case until you have consulted an attorney. Our juvenile defense attorneys are ready to help.

West Chester Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer

Juvenile criminal matters can be very stressful for a family. Contact Bellwoar Kelly, LLP for a free consultation about your case.