How Can a Juvenile Law Attorney Help When Your Child Gets Arrested?

As parents, we often worry about potential scenarios our children could find themselves in. While these can be stressful to think about, it’s important to stay prepared.

One of the most notable situations is when a minor gets arrested. This can come with numerous consequences, and it could even affect the individual’s ability to get a job in the future.

Working with a juvenile law attorney can help you overcome juvenile criminal charges, but not everybody understands how the process works. We’ve created a brief guide that outlines the key benefits and how to get started. Let’s explore what you should know.

Protection from the Adult System

One of the most notable benefits of hiring a juvenile law attorney is protecting your minor from the adult system. Certain crimes carry the risk of the minor getting charged as an adult.

For example, a minor who commits manslaughter could be punished as if they were over the age of 18. Other crimes could include:

• Arson
• Sexual battery
• Murder
• Kidnapping

Without the right attorney on your side, things can quickly go awry. The sentences for adults are much harsher than those for minors, and it’s even possible for a falsely accused individual to get a life sentence.

Quality Representation

It’s imperative to have quality representation when dealing with accusations, but not all lawyers are created equal. Having the right attorney could dictate whether your minor overcomes juvenile criminal charges. Keep this factor in mind when moving forward.

Faster Results

Experienced lawyers know how to expedite the process. The longer a case drags on, the more stressful it can become. The last thing you want is to find yourself constantly worrying about your minor’s potential incarceration.

Your lawyer can also help your minor get released on bail as soon as possible. With the right lawyer, they can often be released within less than 24 hours.

Guidance

Dealing with an arrest can be intimidating for everyone involved. Working with a lawyer will provide much-needed guidance throughout the process.

They’ll help you and your minor understand the situation and your potential options. This will greatly aid in building the proper defense. There’s something to be said about the peace of mind that guidance provides, as it can substantially reduce the stress you experience.

Finding a Juvenile Law Attorney

Finding the right juvenile delinquency attorney is easier than most people anticipate. There are certain attributes to keep an eye out for during your search, though. Listed below are some of the most notable.

Industry Experience

Research their experience and see how long they’ve been working as a juvenile law attorney. The more time they’ve spent in the industry, the better.

In general, it’s best to prioritize attorneys who have at least a decade of experience. This will ensure they understand your case’s nuances.

Specialization

Do they specialize in this area of law? Just because an attorney says they can help with your case doesn’t mean they concentrate on situations like yours.

It’s imperative to find someone who primarily deals with similar cases. This goes a long way toward finding the best possible option for your needs.

If your prospective attorney plans to delegate your case, ask to meet the lawyer they’ll give it to. This prevents you from working with someone you know nothing about.

Reputation

Only hire attorneys who have untarnished reputations. You can gain insight into this information by reading online reviews.

See what previous clients have to say about their experiences. Look for reviews that specifically mention timeliness, professionalism, and results.

Communication

Some attorneys are more difficult to get in touch with than others. Being unable to reach your attorney can easily complicate your situation.

However, accessibility sometimes comes at a price. To clarify, an attorney might charge you extra to answer the phone or return emails after hours.

If you aren’t aware of these charges, they can quickly add up. Regardless, your lawyer should regularly communicate with you and keep you updated on the case’s progress. Before you hire them, ask them how they plan to inform you of important details.

The Advantages of Flat Rate or Upfront Pricing

You often get what you pay for when hiring a juvenile law attorney. Cheaper attorneys often lack the necessary experience to get the best results. Like everything else in life, experience and expertise come with a price and you must ask yourself, what’s your child’s future worth?

When your child is facing charges, the last thing you need are more unpleasant surprises. Unforeseen expensive legal bills can add stress and anxiety to an already tough situation. When it comes to cost, flat rate juvenile defense attorneys are your best choice to avoid any surprise bills and allow you to plan ahead.

Because juvenile legal issues are a specialized area of law, it’s not uncommon for experienced juvenile attorney to quote thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars depending on the charge. This can actually work in your favor. Most experienced and reputable juvenile defense attorneys will charge a flat rate or upfront fee. This will be a total estimate to represent your child for the entirety of the case from start to finish.

A flat rate may seem eye opening at first, but it will give you peace of mind and avoid any future surprise costs or added fees that can quickly add up. Flat rates also act as an incentive for your juvenile attorney to resolve the case in the quickest amount of time with the least amount of work. This can alleviate long-term stress on you and your child and potentially avoid the strain of dealing with investigators, psychologists, or other experts if they don’t need to be involved.

Flat rate juvenile defense attorneys may include some additional costs if the case goes to court, but these are usually transparent and discussed upfront.

Be wary of any juvenile defense attorney that charges by the hour. It’s likely they have little experience and could potentially add up enormous future costs without any end in sight. The last thing you need is to encounter financial surprises after hiring a lawyer. For example, let’s assume that an attorney charges $500 per hour. After a seemingly small retainer is paid, the billable hours can quickly add up and soon surpass the flat-rate quote of an experienced juvenile defense attorney.

Keep in mind the difference between flat rate vs. hourly billing juvenile defense attorneys and the overall potential cost of an adequate defense. Don’t be fooled by a low price quote. Make sure you discuss all the potential costs and that the juvenile attorney you consult is transparent with their strategy and charges.

Level of Comfort

Assess how comfortable you are communicating with the attorney. To get the best results, you’ll need to be in frequent contact with them and provide the necessary information. This can be difficult to achieve if they don’t seem approachable.

Enthusiasm

Look elsewhere if your prospective attorney doesn’t seem enthusiastic about your case. Attorneys who aren’t interested in working with you will likely fall short of your goals.

This is a situation to avoid at all costs, as it could jeopardize your minor’s freedom. Most people can gauge an attorney’s level of interest shortly after meeting them.

A great way to assess their enthusiasm is to observe if they ask questions. The more they ask about your case, the more likely they’ll give it their full attention.

Get Started ASAP

If your minor gets arrested, time is not on your side. It’s imperative to call a juvenile law attorney as soon as possible. They have the tools and resources to help you manage this situation and begin building a defense to insure the best possible outcome for your child.

Juvenile defense attorney Andrea Kolski has over twenty years of experience in representing clients in a wide range of cases, including domestic, criminal, and family. She strives to exceed expectations and deliver the best possible results while offering support, compassion, and transparent communication throughout the process. Reach out to her today to learn more about how she can provide the legal defense you deserve.