Columbus Juvenile Offense Lawyers

In the state of Ohio persons under the age of 18 at the time of their criminal offenses are considered juveniles and are treated differently from adult offenders. Across the U.S. a standardized criminal justice system deals with adults, however, each state has its own juvenile justice system. Unlike the criminal justice system, which punishes perpetrators, the juvenile justice system seeks to rehabilitate.

Ohio’s juvenile justice system is a Home Rule system, which allows cities and counties throughout the State to function with a great deal of autonomy. Most juvenile justice services are provided by local government and vary from location to location.

Robbery, assaults and drug abuse are the top crimes Ohio youth commit, followed by vandalism and burglary. The courts, police, youth advocacy, and community organizations work together to make a difference in the lives of juveniles who need help.

At Yavitch & Palmer juvenile offense casework is an integral part of our legal services. Parents and family are often confused about the rights of juveniles in a court of law. A juvenile has some of the same constitutional rights as an adult, which include right to an attorney, Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, as well as the right to confront and cross-examine their accusers. A judge hears juvenile cases, however, a juvenile does not have the right to a trial by jury. In severe cases of violent crime, a juvenile may be tried as an adult in the criminal justice system.

Although each state’s juvenile case process differs, the steps in Ohio's juvenile justice system are as follows: intake; initial appearance, where an admission or denial of the charge is entered; adjudicatory hearing, where a person admits or is found by the court to be delinquent; disposition plan; disposition hearing, which is similar to sentencing in the adult court context, but the focus is to help rehabilitate the juvenile; probation review hearings, and sometimes case dismissals. Additionally, Ohio allows juvenile records to be expunged upon proper application.

When a juvenile in your family gets in trouble with the law, we know the distress you undergo. Please call our law firm at 614-224-6142 to arrange an appointment. One of our juvenile offense attorneys will explain the charges you are facing and help you understand the legal options open to you.