Arrested as a Juvenile Pennsylvania?
What Happens in a Pennsylvania Juvenile Arrest
Children make mistakes and sometimes break the
law. If your child is facing criminal charges or has been arrested
and detained, I know you are under a lot of stress, and extremely
concerned about what will happen, now and in the future. What
happens next is crucial and your family needs an experienced
juvenile defense attorney to help.
Also see my Juvenile court process
overview.
Arrest
If your child was arrested, chances are he was
referred to the juvenile probation office for intake. Probation
officers are tasked with evaluating the children brought in and the
cases they are involved with. Ultimately, it is up to the probation
officer and the prosecutor to determine if your child will go before
a judge or if the situation will be resolved without having to go
through that.
About 1/3 of all juvenile cases in our state
are handled without going to court. These children may be
required to meet with a probation officer or could simply be sent
home with a warning.
Petitioning
If the probation officer at intake determines
the charges against your child are serious enough, the case will be
petitioned, or formally handled by the courts.
Detainment
Some children are detained between the time
they are arrested and the time they go to court. This could happen
for a variety of reasons but is generally the case where charges are
very serious in nature or when the court does not think your child
will return when his or her court date arrives.
If your child is being held, he or she will
occasionally see the judge for a review. At these reviews the judge
will revisit the reasons for detainment and ensure your child’s best
interests are in mind. An experienced defense attorney may be able
to assist you in getting your child home.
In certain situations, your child could qualify
for a sort of in home detention with the use of an ankle monitoring
device. Similar to house arrest, this option would allow your child
to remain at home when they otherwise would be detained.
From the time your child is arrested, a
juvenile defense attorney can be an asset, knowing how the court
system works and how to get the best results for your child. Call me
immediately for a free legal consultation and advice on your child's
case and to see how I may be able to help.
- The Attorneys of Pennsylvania-Criminal-Defense.com
We represent clients in criminal cases
across Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia, Harrisburg,
Lebanon, Carlisle and Lancaster, and Bucks,
Montgomery, Northampton, and Lehigh Counties, as well as all of
Western PA, the Pittsburgh, Pa metro area, South Hills, and Century
III areas, including Greensburg, Mt Lebanon, Kittanning, Cranberry,
Allegheny County, Westmoreland County, Washington County. Call today, no
obligation!
(888) 412-3298
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