Parents in Denver, Jefferson and Adams County often call and ask if they need to get a lawyer for their child when the child is accused of a crime or when the child admits to committing a crime. The answer is always YES. I think many parents assume that juvenile court and juvenile justice is what it was when they were kids. It’s NOT. Today, not only do we criminalize acts that were once considered part of growing up (school fights, butt grabs, etc) but the penalties for those crimes are now far reaching and can in many cases impact the juvenile into adulthood.
Expungement / Sealing and Government Workers
The real issue in the juvenile system is that it is a very complicated system. One of the biggest misconceptions is that every juvenile case can be expunged. That is not the case and over the years, the legislature has limited the types of cases that are eligible for expungement. Moreover, unlike adult court, the goal in the juvenile system is supposed to be rehabilitation. The consequence of the goal of rehabilitation is that many people are involved in the process, not just the juvenile and their parents. Each district in Colorado employs a staff of caseworkers to monitor the juvenile’s progress while the case is pending. In addition to those caseworks, a guardian ad litem may also be appointed to “represent the juvenile’s best interests.” Those people, in addition to the assigned district attorney can all give the court their input about what should happen with your child’s Sexting (Sexual Exploitation of a Child) or Sexual Assault on a Child case in Jefferson or Arapahoe County. The simple fact of the matter is that all of those individuals are court appointed. Because of this, the amount of time that they spend getting to know the juvenile and the family is fairly limited.
Private Defense Attorneys Can Make the Difference
As a private defense attorney, my role is different and I have a vested interest in working with the juvenile to ensure that they understand the court process and to take into account the juvenile’s goal for resolution of the case. More importantly, I can help the juvenile and their family navigate the court process and explain consequences of any disposition and how those consequences can affect them in years to come.
If you have a child that is being charged or investigated for a juvenile criminal offense, take it seriously as they can have affects for years to come. We have spent years defending accused juveniles in Arapahoe, Broomfield and Boulder County, and we can help you. Be smart, ensure that you consult with an attorney and exercise your child’s right to remain silent and contact us today at (303) 731-0719. Together we can protect your child’s future.