Juvenile Delinquency

A Juvenile Delinquency involves a minor who is under the age of 18 and has been charged with an act that otherwise would have been charged as a crime if they were an adult.

Law enforcement or other agencies licensed to assist in arrests will bring children in for questioning as a result of an outside complaint or direct evidence of a wrongdoing. Following their investigation, a child may either be freed from police custody or referred to juvenile court, sometimes requiring detention if they are believed to be a danger to  themselves/others or a flight risk. If Juvenile Delinquency charges are filled by the prosecuting attorney, hearings will be part of the process.

Depending upon the seriousness of the delinquency charged, in conjunction with the age of the child, the prosecuting attorney may request a waiver of the child from the juvenile court and ask that the child be charged and tried as an adult.

As a former deputy prosecuting attorney, Christina Maas has experience in the juvenile courts and in juvenile delinquency matters. If your child becomes involved in a juvenile delinquency matter, Christina Maas can assist you.