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Pendleton Juvenile Delinquency Lawyer
If you have a child who has been charged with a juvenile crime, you may not know what to do next or whether or not you need to hire a juvenile delinquency lawyer. This can be very overwhelming, especially since the situation can involve the entire family.
At Weygandt Law, LLC, Jill Weygandt is dedicated to providing her clients in Pendleton, Morrow, Wallowa, and other areas of Central and Eastern Oregon, with the criminal defense they deserve. She has extensive experience in juvenile delinquency cases and provides an empathetic and personalized approach for each client.
Juvenile Delinquency Law in Pendleton, Oregon
Having your child charged with juvenile delinquency is overwhelming because many families don’t understand what this type of charge means. Juvenile delinquency falls under juvenile law, which deals with children who have committed a crime under the age of 18 years old.
If your child is facing a juvenile delinquency charge, they may receive a letter from the Oregon Juvenile Department requesting a meeting or a summons to appear in court. Because these charges involve minors, parents need to be heavily involved, guiding their children through the legal process.
Juveniles will automatically be assigned a juvenile department case manager, but parents will still need to hire a criminal defense attorney to represent their child. The good news is that juveniles are much less likely to be incarcerated unless the crime can be proven without a doubt and severe in nature. They are much more likely to receive court-mandated rehabilitation, such as being put through probation or a diversion program, rather than facing incarceration.
Juvenile delinquency cases are also held more privately as the child does not have to appear before a jury trial as the case is handled by a single judge.
Why Do You Need a Juvenile Delinquency Lawyer?
Even though juveniles will receive a juvenile department case manager for their case, this is not the same as being represented by an actual attorney. Because of this, it is critical that you hire a juvenile delinquency lawyer to handle your child’s case to ensure the best outcome.
Despite the fact that juvenile delinquency cases are usually resolved relatively quickly and fairly, you need to take the necessary steps to protect your child. These cases can impact your child's future, so you need to ensure they are not wrongfully charged with a crime or face consequences that don't fit the crime. Here are some examples of how a criminal defense attorney can help you do this:
- Keeps cases in juvenile court: A juvenile delinquency lawyer can help keep your child’s juvenile delinquency case in juvenile court, where there are more options available. It’s essential that the case stays in juvenile court since there is a higher likelihood of your child receiving rehabilitation instead of incarceration. This is very important in more severe cases where the court may want to try your child as an adult.
- Protects the child: A skilled lawyer can shield your child against interactions with investigators, the police, or government agencies. This protects their rights and ensures they do not give away self-incriminating evidence.
- Create a case: An attorney will create a case for your child, presenting evidence in their favor and drawing any evidence against them into question. Having a thorough case in your child’s favor will be vital in convincing the judge to choose a rehabilitative disciplinary measure instead of incarceration.
- Handles disciplinary hearings: A lawyer can also help represent your child in school disciplinary hearings, ensuring the best outcome that will not negatively impact your child’s future.
- Speeds up the process: When you hire a criminal defense attorney for your child, they can help speed up the progression of the case.
What to Look for in an Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyer For Juveniles
It isn’t enough to simply hire a criminal defense attorney for juveniles; you need to make sure you hire the right attorney. The attorney you hire should have experience with juvenile delinquency laws in Pendleton, Oregon, and have a history of successful cases. You also want to find a lawyer who can provide an empathetic and personable touch while still aggressively pursuing your child’s case.
Make sure you choose a criminal defense attorney who actively listens and makes your family feel heard and prioritized. As stressful as this process is, having the right legal representation can take the weight off of your family’s shoulders.
If you are facing a criminal charge in Pendleton, Wallowa, and other counties in Central and Eastern Oregon, you need to take the necessary step of hiring a Pendleton criminal defense attorney to represent you. A trusted criminal defense lawyer will act as your advocate and help you build a substantial case to prove your innocence or lessen the charges.
At Weygandt Law, LLC, Jill Weygandt prioritizes the needs of her clients, ensuring that they feel heard throughout the process of building their case. For passionate legal representation from a Pendleton criminal defense attorney, contact Weygandt Law, LLC, today at (541) 612-0941 for a consultation.
