Juvenile Defense Attorney

Juvenile Crime Lawyers In Bellefontaine, OH

At McNamee Defense, we know that no parent wants to see their child convicted of a crime (adjudicated delinquent), the consequences of which can derail their life at such a critical juncture. That’s why we’re prepared to mount a vigorous defense of your child as they face juvenile charges in Ohio. Contact our firm for an initial case evaluation to discuss your child’s charges and learn more about how we can help your family pursue a favorable resolution that protects your child’s future. 

Why Choose a Juvenile Defense Attorney from McNamee Defense?

When juvenile charges put your child’s reputation and future on the line, your family’s choice of legal counsel becomes of critical importance. At McNamee Defense, we prioritize discretion, honesty, and teamwork when putting together a strategic defense for each of our clients. We focus on our professional approach and the strong advocacy we provide for our clients. Although we work tenaciously to obtain optimal results for your family, we also understand the benefit of a diplomatic approach. We believe that the best results are the ones nobody hears about, and we want to give your child the benefit of a clear record and a bright future.

Understanding the Juvenile Justice System in Ohio

In Ohio, the juvenile justice system has initial jurisdiction over minors who commit offenses that, if committed by an adult, would constitute crimes under state law. Ohio maintains a separate justice system for juveniles, focusing on providing rehabilitation to juvenile offenders to help them avoid continued criminal behavior as adults, rather than the adult criminal justice system’s focus on punishing offenders for criminal behavior.

The juvenile justice system “adjudicates” juveniles who commit offenses as “delinquent” rather than “convicting” them for a crime. Penalties for adjudications of delinquency include more rehabilitative-focused programs, such as probation, supervision, substance abuse or mental health treatment, and educational services. However, delinquent juveniles can also face punishments, including detention by the Ohio Department of Youth Services, fines, and restitution obligations.

The Ohio juvenile justice system allows for the waiver of certain juveniles to the adult criminal justice system. Juveniles who meet statutory age requirements and face prosecution for qualifying offenses may have their cases transferred from the juvenile court to adult criminal court. A juvenile convicted in adult criminal court can face the same penalties as an adult convicted for the same crime.

Types of Juvenile Crimes We Handle

At McNamee Defense, a juvenile crimes defense attorney can help your child seek a favorable resolution to charges involving offenses such as:

• Drug possession
• Intoxicated driving
• School discipline/suspension
• Underage possession/consumption of alcohol
• Curfew violations
• Trespassing
• Disturbing the peace
• Vandalism
• Arson
• Shoplifting
• Theft
• Firearms offenses
• Assault/battery
• Sexual assault
• Sexting

Consequences of Juvenile Charges

A criminal conviction can have a lifetime of consequences for a juvenile offender.

An adjudication of delinquency in the juvenile justice system will result in the juvenile court imposing a sentence that may include:

• Detention in a youth facility operated by the Ohio Department of Youth Services
• Probation
• Community service
• Fines
• Restitution (an obligation to reimburse victims for financial losses caused by the juvenile’s offense)
• Substance abuse treatment and drug/alcohol testing
• Mental health treatment
• Potential permanent record impacts

However, juvenile charges can lead to waiver of a case to the adult criminal justice system, where a conviction may impose a criminal sentence that includes jail/prison time, probation, and fines.

Juvenile charges and adjudications of delinquency/convictions can have other collateral consequences. For example, juveniles who commit sex-based offenses may have sex offender registration requirements that require them to report to law enforcement periodically.

Finally, a juvenile offense can have a devastating effect on a young person’s future, as an adjudication or conviction can create a stigma that makes pursuing educational or employment opportunities more challenging for juveniles who have committed offenses. As a result, when your child faces prosecution for a juvenile crime, hiring experienced legal counsel from McNamee Defense can help your family protect their options and future.

Defenses to Juvenile Crimes

Depending on the alleged offense, alleged juvenile offenders may have several defense strategies available to them, including those based on:

• Lack of intent: A juvenile’s defense case may assert that the prosecution’s evidence fails to prove the juvenile acted with the criminal intent required by the charged statute.
• Lack of possession: In drug or weapons cases, a juvenile can deny having physical possession or constructive possession (legal control) of the contraband.
• Consent: Juveniles facing prosecution for sex crimes may argue that an alleged victim validly consented to the activity.
• Self-defense: Juveniles charged with assault or other violent offenses may claim they acted in self-defense as they reasonably perceived that the alleged victim posed a threat to them.
• Mistaken identity/alibi: A defense to a juvenile charge may seek to prove that the juvenile did not commit the offense by challenging a victim’s or eyewitness’s identification or by presenting alibi evidence to prove the juvenile was not at the crime scene when the offense occurred.
• Unlawfully obtained evidence or statements: A defense strategy in a juvenile case may focus on seeking to exclude evidence or the juvenile’s inculpatory statements by arguing that the police obtained the evidence through unlawful searches or got the juvenile’s statements in an interrogation that violated their rights (such as failing to contact the juvenile’s parent/guardian before questioning).

Defense strategies in juvenile cases may also focus on pursuing a more favorable outcome to a juvenile’s charges by negotiating a reduction or dismissal of charges or a plea agreement that limits the juvenile’s penalties to probation, community service, or fines. Many cases that we handle include expungement or sealing of the court records, helping to protect the juvenile’s future opportunities.

How Can a Juvenile Defense Lawyer Help Your Child

When an arrest jeopardizes your child’s reputation and future, hiring a knowledgeable defense attorney from McNamee Defense can help you protect their rights and interests. 

A juvenile defense lawyer can help your family seek a positive outcome to your child’s charges by:

• Independently investigating the case, rather than relying solely on the evidence uncovered by the police or prosecutors, to ensure your son or daughter has a robust defense.
• Evaluating the facts of the case to identify case strategies, including legal/factual defenses or avenues to minimize your son’s or daughter’s potential exposure.
• Helping your family understand the nature of your juvenile’s charges, the potential outcomes of the case, and what to expect in the juvenile justice system to help you and your son or daughter make informed decisions.
• Contesting efforts to transfer your son’s or daughter’s case to adult court to ensure they avoid the harsher punishments of the adult criminal justice system.
• Vigorously pursuing every avenue to secure a favorable resolution, including challenging the prosecution’s evidence or the sufficiency of its case.
• Fighting for the best possible outcome, even when that means going to trial to defend your son’s or daughter’s interests.

Contact Us Today to Discuss Your Family’s Options

If your child has been charged with a juvenile offense in the Columbus, Bellefontaine or surrounding areas across Central Ohio, your family needs experienced legal counsel to fight for your child’s rights, reputation, and future. Contact McNamee Defense today for a confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney to learn more about what to expect in your son’s or daughter’s case and discuss their options for obtaining a favorable resolution to their charges.