Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney in Dayton, OH
Juvenile court in Dayton, Ohio, can be frightening and confusing for children and their loved ones. Our attorneys use their decades of experience fighting for defendants’ rights to guide you and your child through this process.
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Dayton Juvenile Defense Lawyer
Juveniles, including children and teens, can be arrested, charged, and prosecuted for the same crimes as adults. They may face life-changing consequences, including incarceration.
A skilled and knowledgeable juvenile criminal defense attorney from Gounaris Abboud helps you and your child identify defenses for their charges. We also work with prosecutors to find a fair solution, including a dismissal of the charges or a plea deal, that protects your child’s rights and future.
If we cannot reach a mutually agreeable solution, we will fight your child’s case in juvenile court.
Juvenile Crimes We Handle
Gounaris Abboud has over five decades of experience handling all types of criminal charges in Ohio. Some examples of serious offenses a juvenile crimes lawyer from our firm can handle include:
- Homicide, including murder and manslaughter
- Sex crimes
- Robbery, assault, and other violent crimes
- Burglary
- Arson
- Drug crimes
You should also consider searching for a “juvenile attorney near me” to represent your child for less serious offenses, such as:
- Theft, including shoplifting
- Operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI)
- Underage drinking
- Vandalism
Regardless of the charges, we always fight for a positive outcome for our clients. We have a 95% success rate and will advocate for your child’s interests.
Need Legal Help for Your Child?
Contact Gounaris Abboud to learn how a juvenile lawyer can help resolve your child’s case.
Dayton Juvenile Crime Penalties
Sentences in juvenile court are aimed at rehabilitation rather than punishment. However, they can still impose significant restrictions on your child. These restrictions may interfere with their development and limit their future.
Thus, the goal of a juvenile criminal defense attorney is to fight for an outcome that serves your child’s interests, including counseling, drug or alcohol treatment, and other rehabilitative services.
Custodial punishments that a juvenile court judge may impose include:
- Supervised or unsupervised probation
- Placement into temporary custody in a group home or community program
- House arrest
- Incarceration
Judges can also order non-custodial penalties, such as:
- Judicial reprimand
- Community service
- Driver’s license suspension
- Drug and alcohol testing
- Mandatory school attendance
- Curfew
- Fines, court costs, and restitution
- Drug or alcohol treatment
Upon conviction of a felony, the judge can sentence your child to incarceration in a community correctional facility or the Ohio Department of Youth Services. They may be held there until they turn 21. At that point, they may be released.
Juvenile court judges have more discretion when sentencing juveniles. They can tailor a penalty to fit the crime as well as the child’s upbringing, home life, and experiences. They can consider the child’s physical maturity and mental development.
The court can also consider the reasons that caused the child to commit a crime. We can present evidence of past mental or physical trauma, mental illness, medical conditions, and substance abuse that may have contributed to your juvenile’s behavior.
Judges faced with this kind of evidence can craft “penalties” that include mental health treatment and substance abuse counseling to help them avoid future criminal behavior.
Ohio Juvenile Charges: What Is the Juvenile Crimes Definition?
Section 2152.02 of the Ohio Revised Code defines a “child” subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as follows:
- Anyone under 18 who commits an offense, regardless of their age when charged.
- Anyone under 21 who has been adjudicated a delinquent child or juvenile.
- Anyone convicted of a felony in adult court and sentenced as a serious youthful offender.
The law also excludes certain people from the definition of “child”, including those whose cases are transferred to adult court for trial and sentencing.
Ohio Juvenile Court System
Unlike some states, Ohio’s juvenile court system does not fall under the family courts. Instead, it exists as a separate division, straddling the line between the domestic division and criminal courts. It handles cases involving juvenile delinquency as well as family matters involving children, such as paternity and custody.
Judges handling delinquency cases balance children’s rights and interests with rehabilitation and punishment.
For serious crimes, however, prosecutors can charge the child as an adult. This procedure deprives the juvenile court of jurisdiction and shifts the case to the court of common pleas with other adult offenses.
Get Trusted Juvenile Defense Now
When searching for a “juvenile defense lawyer near me”, Gounaris Abboud provides trustworthy advice and representation.
How Can Our Juvenile Defense Attorneys Help You?
The criminal defense attorneys at Gounaris Abboud provide the following services when handling your juvenile’s case.
Gathering Information
We start by learning what happened and gathering evidence so we can tailor a case strategy to the facts of your juvenile’s case.
Working with Prosecutors and Juvenile Court Judges
While the juvenile court system is adversarial, we can often work out solutions to your juvenile’s charges through discussions and negotiations with the prosecutors and judge.
Advocating for Your Child
If we cannot reach a solution with prosecutors, the judge will conduct an adjudicatory hearing where we can present your juvenile’s defenses and advocate for their rights.
Helping Your Juvenile with Post-Hearing Compliance
We advise you and your juvenile about how to comply with the judge’s order and represent your interests if your child is accused of violating the terms of the order.
What Makes Our Juvenile Defense Practice the Trusted Choice?
Gounaris Abboud understands the significance of your juvenile’s case in their life. At this potential turning point, hiring us provides several benefits.
Compassionate Representation
We understand that juveniles need understanding and protection, not another adult lecturing them.
Investigation
Our attorneys review the case thoroughly to identify any false accusations, inconsistencies in the accuser’s story, and police misconduct.
Communication and Collaboration
We take the time to talk to you and your child about their circumstances so we can best represent their interests.
Creativity in Crafting Solutions
Since juvenile court judges have wide discretion in sentencing, we work with you and your child to develop recommendations that will truly help, such as counseling or substance abuse treatment.
Aggressive Advocacy
Your child needs someone on their side when facing prosecutors, police officers, and accusers so their voice is heard.
Juvenile Crime in Dayton FAQ
Ohio does not expunge records. Instead, a juvenile can apply to seal the record from public viewing six months after the hearing or upon turning 18. This procedure blocks the conviction from appearing on their criminal history.
Juvenile cases can be transferred to the court of common pleas for children as young as 14. However, the child must be accused of a serious felony. If convicted, the child may be sentenced to prison.
Juveniles commit all types of crimes, from vandalism to assault. However, one of the most common crimes involves theft, including shoplifting, misusing an adult’s credit or debit card, or stealing another child’s belongings.
There is no set fee for handling a juvenile case. Instead, the cost will depend on the complexity of the case and the severity of the charges. You should discuss fees during a juvenile lawyer free consultation.
Juvenile courts have jurisdiction over children who committed an offense before turning 18. There is no minimum age for facing a juvenile court, although very young children might not face delinquency charges due to their limited mental maturity.
Juvenile records are not public documents. However, certain offenses may create other public records that will show up in background checks. For example, conviction for certain sex offenses will result in mandatory registration on the public sex offender registry.
Juvenile Crimes Resources in Dayton
As you navigate the juvenile criminal justice system, you will find valuable resources that help you understand the process your child will face.
Montgomery County Juvenile Court
The Juvenile Court for Montgomery County provides information about the judges who serve the division. It also includes links to institutions affiliated with the court, including the community correctional facility and the drug and alcohol treatment center.
Ohio Department of Youth Services
The Ohio Department of Youth Services operates the juvenile correctional facilities. Its website explains the department’s mission and describes the programs it operates to help juvenile offenders, including mental health and community reentry.
Dayton Police Department — Juvenile Bureau
The city of Dayton does not have a separate division to handle juvenile criminal investigations. You can use the police department’s directory to contact the truancy division or investigators handling a case involving your child.