Juvenile Crime Defense Attorney in Newport News, VA

Experienced Defense Against Juvenile Crimes in Virginia

Juveniles are individuals under the age of 18 years old. When a juvenile has violated a law within the juvenile justice system, they are governed under a specific set of laws and procedures. The juvenile system includes specific departments, including the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts, law enforcement, correctional facilities, and programs that serve juvenile offenders.

The department that has the primary responsibility for juvenile justice systems is the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice. Talk with our Newport News juvenile defense lawyer at once to learn more about your case and find out the options available.

Understanding Juvenile Crime Procedures in Virginia

If your child has been charged with a criminal offense, it is important to gain a strong understanding of the process associated with the juvenile court. Obtain a free case evaluation with our firm to discuss your case and find out what we can accomplish for you. Some of the information you should understand about juvenile crimes include:

Juvenile and Adult Legal Systems
There are many differences between the juvenile justice system and the adult justice system. The language used between law enforcement is vastly different, for example. Another primary difference is the focus of the justice system. The focus of the juvenile justice system in Virginia is on rehabilitation, rather than punishment.

Criminal Record
In Virginia, a felony conviction for a juvenile will remain on the criminal record for the remainder of his or her life. Misdemeanor convictions are often eventually dropped from the criminal record. Typically, the conviction is removed once the juvenile turns 19 years old or 5 years after the offense is committed. Traffic offenses, however, remain on the individual's Department of Motor Vehicles record until he or she turns 29 years old.

Common Types of Juvenile Crimes 

Although juveniles are capable to commit any type of criminal offense, there are a few crimes that minors frequently commit. Most of these crimes are first-time offenses. The most common juvenile crimes are:

• Vandalism
• Shoplifting
• Simple assault
• Underage drinking
• Drunk driving
• Gang violence
• Making and / or using fake identification
• Hazing

Contact Us Today

Whether you are a juvenile in need of defense for driving under the influence or your child has been arrested for gang violence, you will need to obtain legal guidance. Our Newport News criminal attorney has almost 50 years of experience fighting for the rights of his clients. We can be of help to protect your legal rights. Following an arrest, you and your family should gain as much information as possible. You must remember that you always have options that we can discuss with you. With a competent lawyer by your side, you have a strong chance of having the charges reduced or dismissed. Contact our firm today to begin pursuing defense!