Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ


Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Phoenix AZBefore parents or guardian rush to help a juvenile who has been detained or charged by police, it is advisable to know a little bit about juvenile law. This will allow parents or legal guardians to make an informed decision when hiring the services of a juvenile crime lawyer. Cindy Castillo of Castillo Law is highly trained and experienced with defending clients as a Juvenile Crime Lawyer in and around Phoenix AZ.

What is Juvenile Law?

When it comes to juvenile crime, the accused is treated differently from an adult. There are separate courts to handle cases related to juvenile crime. Usually minors, who are less than 18 years of age and commit a crime are categorized as juvenile delinquents, youthful offenders, delinquent minors or juvenile offenders. The laws governing crimes by juvenile are different from state to state and are enacted as well as regulated by the state governments.

Most states have a well-defined juvenile law and they all use the doctrine of parens patriae, which allows the state to act as the juvenile’s guardian/parent by law and this allows the state to handle maintenance, care, protection and custody of the juvenile. The law clearly stipulates how a juvenile can be questioned, restitution orders, taking a juvenile into custody and conditions of supervision amongst others. Typically, the juvenile is considered a resident of the state where the juvenile’s legal guardian and parent is residing.

In many states across the United States, juvenile end up being categorized as incorrigible or status offenders. This means that such juveniles do not obey their parents and/or end up committing certain acts, which may not be considered criminal, are still prohibited. These acts include running away from home, violating curfew, behaving in an unhealthy or unsafe manner, drinking alcohol and playing truant from school.

Juvenile courts in Arizona handle cases related to juvenile delinquents, status offenders and incorrigibles. In addition, the courts also handle cases related to child abandonment, abuse and neglect. These courts are civil courts and when a juvenile is charged, he is charged for committing a delinquent act and not a crime. And, the judge decides whether a minor has committed a delinquent act. If yes, the minor becomes a ward of the court. The judge decides the magnitude of the penalty or punishment.

Penalties for Juvenile-Offenders

Status offenders may face the following penalties:

  • Have their driving license suspended
  • Pay a fine
  • Do community service
  • Go for counseling or special classes

If the juvenile is found to have committed a juvenile act, he may get the following penalties:

  • Have their driving license suspended
  • Pay a fine
  • Do community service
  • Go for counseling or special classes
  • Probation
  • Home confinement
  • Be placed in a relative’s home or foster care
  • Incarceration in a juvenile corrections home

If the judge deems that a juvenile has committed a forgivable act, the juvenile may be sent to a state prison or adult jail.

How a Juvenile Crime Lawyer Can Help?

The legal system is taking a different view on acts committed by minors. Previously, the accepted notion was minors were too young to be made responsible for their acts, as they did not know what they were doing. However, this perception is gradually changing with the number of minors committing serious crime. Today, many minors are being tried as adults in criminal courts. To avoid this from happening, the moment your ward or child is arrested or detained by the police, you should seek the services of an experienced juvenile crime lawyer like Cindy Castillo of Castillo Law. She will study the evidence, get a history of the child and his family background and come up with strategies that ensure the juvenile is tried in juvenile courts and not an adult court. Many times, the lawyer may also be successful in getting the charges dropped.

Call Castillo Law for a Free Consultation 24/7 at (480) 206-5204. Se Habla Espanol.

Call Castillo Law for a Free Consultation 24/7 at (480) 206-5204.  Se Habla Espanol y la primera Consulta es Gratuita.
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