Juvenile Criminal Law

It’s every parent’s worst nightmare: their child is facing a criminal charge. Perhaps it is for a minor offense like vandalism, or a more serious infraction such as murder, carjacking, robbery, drug possession or theft. If your family is facing this situation, you need a dedicated legal team on your side to guide you through the complexities of the trial process. The Maryland juvenile attorneys at A.Y. Gross Law have years of experience advocating for juvenile defendants and have handled more than 1000 juvenile cases across the state. Read on to learn more about how we have helped our many juvenile clients.

What Rights Do Minors Have?

Under Maryland law, a “juvenile” is any person under the age of eighteen. Although the juvenile justice system differs significantly from the adult justice system, minors still have many of the same rights as adults. These include the right to legal representation, all rights afforded by the United States Constitution and the right to make the State prove any case against them beyond a reasonable doubt.

Each juvenile who has been charged with a crime has the right to have representation in juvenile court. If the family chooses not to hire their own Maryland juvenile attorney, then one will be provided by the state. However, seeking out a juvenile criminal law attorney with experience in this area can be immensely helpful.

A good attorney has the expertise and knowledge to navigate this specialized area of the Maryland court system and obtain a fair result. Juvenile criminal law attorneys not only prepare defense to the criminal case but they investigate the child’s family, social, educational, and medical situation in order to build a strong, effective case before the court. Our goal is to advocate for fair treatment of your child and make a better future possible.

If you need legal help, contact us now for a free Case Evaluation

How Does Juvenile Criminal Law Work?

Crimes committed by juveniles are treated very differently from crimes committed by adults. When it comes to some very serious offenses, such as murder, robbery or sexual assault, the State could elect to charge the minors as adults. However, most crimes committed by juveniles are tried in the juvenile justice system.

This system is designed to protect the community while addressing the reasons and causes behind the criminal behavior. Judges are generally more concerned with handing out the appropriate discipline to ensure that the criminal behavior does not repeat itself rather than handing out punishments that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Here are a few of the most common crimes tried before the juvenile justice system:

Robbery
Assault
Drug distribution
Handgun possession
Drug Possession
Theft
Malicious destruction of property

Because the juvenile and adult courts differ in such substantial ways, it is important to find a qualified Maryland juvenile attorney who understands the intricacies of the system. As juvenile criminal law experts, our goal is always to secure the best possible outcome for our young clients and ensure that they are given a second chance.

In certain cases, it may even be possible for your child to seal certain offenses from their record. If this can be done successfully, then the offense will no longer be a part of a juvenile record. Being able to honestly and legally say that you do not have a juvenile criminal record can make it much less difficult to find employment, obtain certain types of government identification, and apply for loans and education opportunities in the future.

Contact Us

Going to court can be a life-changing experience for a juvenile defendant, but its consequences do not need to last forever. The Maryland juvenile attorneys at A.Y. Gross Law are committed to achieving the best possible results for our young clients. We work tirelessly to defend their rights in court and protect their chance for a good future. If your child is facing a criminal charge, please call us at (443) 990-0001 or reach out to one of the members of our experienced, knowledgeable legal team.