What happens after a juvenile is arrested?
An intake decision determines whether a child is released to a parent or held for a hearing, often within hours.
Juvenile arrest →California-First · National PracticeJuvenile Criminal
Juvenile Criminal
Defense Lawyers
When Your Child's Future Is at Stake, Everything Matters.
An accusation against a minor can reach far past the courtroom — freedom, education, reputation, and the record that follows a young person into adulthood. Early legal intervention can change what is still possible, and parents deserve clear answers quickly.
Speak With a Juvenile Defense LawyerRequest a Confidential ConsultationCall the practice(000) 000-0000Phone number pending — message us instead
- Answers about what is happening right now
- Discreet and confidential
- Focused on protecting a young person's future
Protect
their future.
Our guiding principle
Why families choose this practice
Juvenile Defense Focus
A practice built around minors accused of crimes, not general litigation.
Serious Felony Defense
Weapons, sex offense, and violent-felony allegations against minors.
California Priority
California juvenile court is the practice's primary jurisdiction.
Confidential Consultation
Speak privately about the case before deciding anything.
Act early
Your Child Has Been Accused. What Happens Next Matters.
Juvenile cases can move quickly. Decisions made in the first days — sometimes the first hours — shape options that are difficult to recover later.
Early decisions can affect
- Whether your child is detained or released
- What happens during police questioning
- How the first court hearings unfold
- The disposition the court ultimately orders
- Probation terms and how long they last
- School discipline running in parallel
- Whether a record can later be sealed
- In serious cases, exposure to adult criminal court
Where we help
All juvenile crimesCore Practice Areas
Juvenile Assault & Battery
School incidents, fights, and use-of-force allegations.
Learn more →Juvenile Robbery
Allegations that escalate quickly into felony exposure.
Learn more →Juvenile Gun & Weapons Charges
Possession and carrying cases, including transfer risk.
Learn more →Juvenile Sex Crimes
Sensitive allegations with lasting record consequences.
Learn more →Juvenile Drug Charges
Possession, sales allegations, and diversion questions.
Learn more →Juvenile Theft & Burglary
Property allegations from shoplifting through burglary.
Learn more →Juvenile School Threats
Statements and online posts treated as criminal threats.
Learn more →Serious Juvenile Felonies
The most severe allegations a minor can face.
Learn more →Tried as an Adult
When the prosecution seeks to move the case out of juvenile court.
Learn more →
How it unfolds
The Juvenile Court Process
Not every case follows every stage. Many resolve early through diversion or dismissal.
- 01
Investigation
- 02
Arrest
- 03
Detention
- 04
Petition
- 05
Court Hearings
- 06
Disposition
- 07
Probation / Placement
- 08
Record Sealing
Highest stakes
Could Your Child Be Tried as an Adult?
In serious juvenile cases, the prosecution may raise transfer to adult criminal court. Whether that is even possible depends on the jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the case — and where it is possible, it is decided through a contested process, not automatically.
Primary jurisdiction
California Juvenile Defense
California is a primary focus of this practice. The California section covers juvenile laws, court process, detention, transfer to adult court, probation, diversion, and record sealing, with county-level detail as it is published.
Explore California Juvenile Defense- Juvenile laws
- Court process
- Detention
- Transfer
- Probation
- Diversion
- Record sealing
- County coverage
Questions parents ask first
Answers for Parents
Can police question a minor without a parent present?
The rules differ by state, age, and custody status. Declining questioning until counsel is present is the safe course.
Juvenile defense →Can my child be released from juvenile detention?
Release is frequently available. It is decided at a detention hearing, where preparation matters a great deal.
Detention hearings →Can a juvenile be charged with a felony?
Yes. Felony-level allegations carry heavier consequences and can affect detention, disposition, and sealing.
Juvenile crimes →Can a juvenile be tried as an adult?
In some jurisdictions and circumstances, yes — usually only after a contested hearing rather than automatically.
Tried as an adult →Will a juvenile case create a permanent record?
Not always. Many juvenile records can be sealed, but eligibility and timing are set by state law.
Court process →The practice
Who Will Represent Your Child
Attorney profiles, licensing, and admissions are published only from verified information supplied by the practice.
Attorney profile slot — name, role, admissions, and biography pending.
Attorney profile slot — name, role, admissions, and biography pending.
Attorney profile slot — name, role, admissions, and biography pending.
In their words
What Families Say
Client testimonial slot — published only from real, supplied statements.
Client testimonial slot — published only from real, supplied statements.
Client testimonial slot — published only from real, supplied statements.
No testimonials are displayed until verified client statements are provided.
Outcomes
Case Results
Case result slot — allegation, posture, and outcome pending.
Case result slot — allegation, posture, and outcome pending.
Case result slot — allegation, posture, and outcome pending.
Case results are published only from verified matters. Results depend on the specific facts, allegations, and jurisdiction of each case. Prior outcomes do not guarantee or predict a similar result in another matter.
Protect Your Child's Future.
A confidential conversation is the fastest way to understand where the case stands and what options are still open. Nothing is decided by making the call.