How is Arapahoe County Juvenile Court Different than Adult Court?
Juvenile crimes are treated more as the mistakes of a developing child than adult cases – where a crime is never seen as a mistake, but intentional. The juvenile court system sees kids as developing and not as responsible for their bad decisions in Arapahoe County. The bottom line in juvenile court is that kids can be rehabilitated, while adults cannot. Of course, juvenile violent crimes are treated differently for the sake of public safety. But, even these, in the end, are processed less harshly for kids than for adult crimes. Children will enjoy shorter jail (detention) stays, lower bonds and lower fines. Read how parents and adults may be responsible for their child’s conduct.
Juvenile Crimes Sentences Attorney in Douglas County – Do Children go to Jail?
For punishment, juveniles in Douglas County are placed in “detention,” which is a less harsh sounding name than jail. For felonies, we also have the Colorado Department of Youth Corrections, where felony offenders may end up. DYC, as it is known, can result in a sentence until the child reaches 21 years of age. In very serious crimes in Parker and Castle Rock, kids can be charged as adults, and while initially sentenced to DYC, they will be transferred to the Department of Corrections once they hit eighteen years old.
Juvenile Court and What Happens There – A Denver County Juvenile Lawyer Explains
Many juveniles show up in juvenile court in custody. The system likes to arrest kids for public safety, especially if the underlying crime involves sex, violence or guns. Even when a case is reported to have occurred months or years later, protocol is to arrest the child and place them into detention. This occurs so that magistrates, judges and district attorneys are not criticized if the child reoffends during the pendency of the case. You must understand that “career safety” motivates much of what happens in juvenile court.
Juvenile Records Sealing and Expungement in Jefferson County – What Can an Attorney Do?
Juvenile police reports and arrest records in Jefferson County can be sealed through a process called “expungement”. In many cases, juvenile records can be expunged much quicker than adult records can. In many cases where an adult record cannot be sealed, a juvenile record can be expunged. Just like adult records, police and court personnel will always be able to look up a child’s record.
If your son or daughter has been arrested in Adams County or any other Colorado jurisdiction, give us a call. Our juvenile defense lawyers are available 24/7 to speak with you. Never let your child speak to the police. Instead, call us at 303-731-07191. Together, we can protect your child’s future.
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