Defending Young People in Juvenile Court
Kids make mistakes. After committing a crime, a minor should be properly reprimanded; however, a minor does not deserve the severe punishment that often results. An experienced juvenile crime lawyer will work toward lessening a punishment and can search for ways to get the case thrown out.
If your son or daughter has been arrested for a serious crime, a status offense, or a probation violation, contact Tom McKenna criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Thomas McKenna in Walnut Creek. He has helped thousands of families throughout the Bay Area get through criminal accusations.
Law Office of Thomas F. McKenna advises families and represent young people who face such charges as the following in juvenile court:
- Auto theft
- Burglary
- Vandalism
- Underage drinking
- Drug crimes involving possession or distribution
- Shoplifting
- Truancy
- Weapons offenses
- Traffic violations such as speeding, racing or DUI
- Assault
- Disorderly conduct
Mr. McKenna’s first objective is to work with the prosecution, the probation office and his own network of community service resources to identify the counseling or treatment program that will most effectively address the young person's behavioral or substance abuse problems. We can usually present the court with a proposal for intervention, supervision and reinforcement that your family and the prosecution can both support.
In cases involving serious crimes of violence or sexual assault, where the young defendant faces the prospect of trial as an adult, we will carefully consider whether there is anything substantial to be gained by seeking a remand to juvenile court. Although the maximum possible sentence in a juvenile trial is likely to be much shorter than an adult defendant would face, the procedural and constitutional protections available in Superior Court are much greater, with the right to trial by jury the most important difference.
We consider every juvenile case on its own facts, and develop our defense strategies with the unique circumstances of each young person and family in mind. To learn more about our experience with the defense of youthful defendants in juvenile court or Superior Court, contact Tom McKenna at our Walnut Creek office.
Serving clients in Contra Costa County and the San Francisco Bay Area
