Juvenile Offenses - Criminal Defense

Experienced Legal Help

At the Law Offices of Steven H. Mevorah, our juvenile crime attorneys have decades of criminal defense experience and regularly represent juveniles in the following types of cases:

At the forefront in juvenile law, the Illinois legislature was the first state to establish a separate court for children. The Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1899 enacted a legal court system for juveniles that the rest of the country soon emulated.

Juvenile Court Approach and Procedure

Traditionally, juvenile courts have sought to reform or rehabilitate children, rather than punish or incarcerate them. While in recent years the emphasis in prosecuting juveniles as adults has shifted for certain felonies; overall, the orientation towards the rehabilitation of minors still prevails in juvenile law today. There are procedural similarities between the criminal justice system and juvenile courts; however, use of different legal terms by the juvenile court system shows a contrast in purpose, for example:

Juvenile delinquency (instead of criminal act or crime)
Adjudication (hearing before a judge, similar to a trial)
Delinquency petition (instead of indictment)
Adjudged delinquent (instead of "found guilty")
Custodial confinement (order for juvenile placement in a secure facility for rehabilitation as opposed to imprisonment)
Status offense (offenses that are only illegal when committed by juveniles and are not applicable to adults, e.g. truancy, underage drinking or smoking, curfew violations, running away from home, etc.)

Under Illinois law, juveniles are children who are 16 years of age and younger. Individuals 17 years and older are tried as adults in the criminal justice system.

In federal juvenile cases, juveniles are persons under the age of 18, and laws are similar to state juvenile laws.

Juvenile Offenses Juvenile Rights

Many juvenile’s rights are the same as adult rights, such as the right to receive notice of charges, the right to attorney, right to confront and question witnesses and respond to evidence, freedom from self-incrimination, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the court brings juvenile cases before a judge, and there is no trial by a jury of peers.

If your child has been arrested or is being investigated for juvenile crime, we encourage you to contact a criminal defense lawyer at our firm immediately. We can help you understand the laws involved and legal options available. There are other alternatives to juvenile detention, such as probation and drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs, etc. Our lawyers make every effort to protect your child’s rights, see that your child’s case is heard in the juvenile court system rather than the criminal justice system, and seek alternatives to custodial confinement.

'[My attorney] handled my case and we obtained a very favorable outcome. I even received part of my retainer back!! I am very pleased with his handling of my case and recommend him highly!!'
- B. W.

'Thank you to [my attorney] and everyone else who provided me security and comfort in my case. I take into full consideration all the hard work you all have done. You all are extremely professional and sophisticated people.'
- K. R.

'I would like to thank you for handling my recent problem. Not being a person who frequents incidents with the authorities I felt it would be in my best interest to seek your assistance in the matter. I felt a whole lot better knowing I had representation. Not knowing what might develop in such matters can be nerve wracking and I especially didn’t know where this was all going. You certainly made me more comfortable with it. […] The system is what it is and now I am better informed as to how to handle such matters in the future. I have passed both your name and the firm’s name on to friends already, and should I ever need your services again, your number is always with me. Thank you again for all you’ve done for me, and thank your [paralegal], for her patience with me.'
- P. P.

'Steven H. Mevorah & Associates and [my attorney] did a perfectly amazing job in representing my son. He was very professional, personable and caring. The knowledge he brought to the courtroom was great and has helped in the finalization of my son’s case.'
- J. H.

'My thanks to the professionalism and the expeditious handling of my case within a crucial time frame. We had contacted a different Lawyer and had growing concern of the possible outcome of the case. With two days notice, [my attorney from Steven Mevorah & Associates] took time, late in his day, to meet with us. The direction [he] took was different than what the other attorney was taking, & amazingly the outcome could not have been better. Thank you. We feel very fortunate to have come across your firm […].'
- L. W.

'[Steven Mevorah & Associates] was the first law firm I ever had to retain. I left comfortable and cared for. I hope I never need to retain legal service again. But, if I do, I will return to Steven H. Mevorah & Associates.'
- J.H.

Name (*)

Please enter your name.

Phone (*)

Please enter a valid U.S. phone number.

Address

Please enter your address.

Email (*)

Please enter a valid email address.

Message

Invalid Input

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established and as any information submitted could be used by us in the event we represent an adverse party now or in the future. Legal advice cannot be given without full consideration of all relevant information relating to the visitor’s individual situation for which a full consultation is necessary. We offer free in-person consultations at each of our offices.