Arizona’s Juvenile Court System

Learn more about how Ciccarelli Law Offices can help when you need to navigate through Juvenile Court in Pinal County Arizona, including Casa Grande, Florence, San Tan Valley, and Apache Junction. Understanding the process is important part of moving forward and past the shock or despair that your child is facing prosecution by the aggressive juvenile prosecutor’s department.

Being prosecuted in Arizona Juvenile Court is a crisis, and you need a plan; and a team determined to fight for your child.  In a crisis the call to us will be the call that matters.  Contact Lee Ciccarelli to learn more.

Knowing the next steps is difficult in a crisis and it is important to find dedicated, compassionate juvenile lawyers to fight for your child’s interest in Juvenile Court.  It is also important to come to terms that there is no immunity from bad influences, mental illness, alcohol, or substance abuse and neither a safe neighborhood, a fine upbringing, nor private or catholic schooling can eliminate your child from getting in the wrong crowd, being the victim of false accusations or a bad breakup.

What is the Juvenile Court system and how can it effect your child’s high school, college or professional school prospects?

Typically, in a criminal investigation involving someone under the age of 18 the police or the county detectives will conduct their investigation and if they determine if there is sufficient cost for sale and prosecute, they will refer the matter to the juvenile court and the Maricopa County prosecutor’s office. Once approved, it is in the discretion of the prosecutor to have your son or daughter arrested and detained or summoned by correspondence to appear for Juvenile Court.

Fighting for Your Child’s Future in Phoenix Arizona

When you or your family are in a crisis involving your minor child in Phoenix, Arizona, look to Lee Ciccarelli and their juvenile team with over One Hundred Years of combined national criminal defense experience in state and federal courts.  Ciccarelli Law Offices are experienced in contesting felony and misdemeanor juvenile and have been listed as Super Lawyers and received Hundreds of Five Star Client Reviews.

Make no mistake about it, as soon as your son or daughter is the suspect in a criminal investigation it is critical that you reach out to inexperienced firm such as the Ciccarelli Law Offices and speak to Lee Ciccarelli on the steps, the plan, and the strategy to the guy to combat this matter.

How do you determine and make the decision on retain counsel and find the best protector for your family? That’s a decision you have to make, and it is well regarded for you to reach out to an attorney and speak with Them, listen to their approach, how they answer your questions, to determine whether or not they are best suited to protect your family. At Ciccarelli Law Offices, we welcome the opportunity to speak to you, to break provide you a free initial confidential consultation to discuss plan and protecting your child. For us, your success is our mission.

Arizona Juvenile Court

There is a separate court system for juveniles and adults and Juvenile Court is not part of the Superior Court and is where legal matters juvenile delinquency, dependencies, termination of parental rights, adoptions, emancipation, and any other related matters.

A Juvenile Delinquency matter should be taken very seriously and the impact on a minor or his family cannot be overstated.  It is your family best interest to take immediate action to consult and retain an experienced Phoenix Arizona Juvenile Attorney.

Learning About the Arizona Juvenile Court

Juvenile Court is intentionally created with a different approach than adult court with an interest in a child’s best interests and rehabilitation and that includes different terms of art and buzz words like being detained vs arrested.  But make no mistake, whether we are dealing with an adult or a juvenile or minor in Juvenile Court, a finding of responsibility by a Juvenile Court can have devastating impact on a minor including being taken out of the home and facing “placement”.

The local police, whether it be Arizona State Police, officers with Pinal County or local police from Casa Grande, Florence, San Tan Valley, and Apache Junction will forward their matter to the Juvenile Court and a petition is created to serve as an official charge sheet. The petition states the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and the crime committed.  After the petition is prepared it is sent out to the parents and or guardians of the minor. Note, as soon as the family is notified of the charges it is critical to contact an experienced Arizona Juvenile lawyer for consult and advice before engaging the authorities.

Understanding the Juvenile Courtroom

Though Juvenile Court is separate from Superior Court a case will often be heard by a Superior Court Judge to determine if the prosecutors have proven their case against your child beyond a reasonable doubt.  In the event that your child is adjudicated delinquent, either after a hearing or by an admission by the minor, there will be a disposition hearing to determine what the sentence or result will be for the juvenile and that can include probation and or include being taken out of the house and placed in a detention or rehabilitation facility.

The Juvenile Court must make the decision on the future of the child following adjudication and will often consider letters of recommendation and testimonials from family, friends and members of the community as well as court professionals, social workers, therapists, probation officers, and family members’ appeals, may decide alternatives to detention including:

• Placement with a family member or trusted adult friend, especially if the child can’t be managed at home or if they have been neglected, abused or exposed to unsafe conditions.
• Temporary placement in a therapeutic group home.
• Placement in a mental health facility or other hospital for help with intensive therapeutic intervention or medical care.
• Commitment to the Department of Human Services for placement in a residential or another reform program.
• Anger management and impulse control training.
• Mandatory, assigned community service.
• Court ordered acquisition of employment.
• Transfer to a school better designed to meet the child’s needs.
• Probation.
• House arrest.
• Payment of fines and restitution.
• Time to reflect in a juvenile detention center.

All records in juvenile courts are sealed and cannot be easily accessed. This is different from adult courts where anyone can get the records based on the Freedom of Information Act, minus some redacted personal information which may be included on said documents.

It is important characteristic of Juvenile Court that records are sealed so that their records, and their mistakes are concealed so as not to impact their future   A juvenile’s record may be destroyed when they become adult and turn 18, but it is conditioned on meeting court conditions.

One of the main contentious issues with juvenile courts is the use of indeterminate sentencing. This is where judges have the discretion of deciding the maximum sentencing for juveniles.  Unlike adult court where an individual is placed on probation for a set period of time, a juvenile could be subject to continuous probation or until they serve a maximum time if the Court does not agree they have been properly rehabilitated.

Different Types of Juvenile Cases

Juvenile court processes usually differ depending on the type of case. Below are three primary types of juvenile cases:

1. Juvenile Delinquency Cases

– These are cases concerning juveniles whose actions would have resulted in criminal charges if they were adults. The type of punishment and fines in juvenile courts is somewhat different from those in adult courts. The primary goal is rehabilitation rather than punishment.

2. Juvenile Dependency Cases

– These are cases concerning minors or juveniles who have been neglected, abused, or abandoned by their respective guardians or parents. The main objective of such cases is to provide children with safety.

3. Status Offense Cases

– These are cases that concern status offences that specifically apply to minors. It may involve drunk driving, curfew violations, or truancy, among others.

Fighting for Your Child’s Future in Pinal County Arizona

A skilled juvenile crimes defense attorney in Pinal County will be responsible for handling every aspect of these situations. Parents and guardians absolutely should not try to handle these cases on their own. There is simply too much at stake. If a minor is convicted of a criminal offense, the conviction could affect their ability in the future to get a job, go to school, find housing, etc.  In the even of a juvenile felony record, it will likely remain available and impact their ability to get into school or obtain a job involving education, medicine, or security.

It is important to know that the state of Arizona doesn’t automatically seal all juvenile justice records at 18 years of age. Afterwards, they may apply to seal a juvenile record. This can happen six months after the final discharge of the offense and termination of any assigned probation.

Finding the Best Pinal County Juvenile Lawyers for your Child

An attorney will first examine all of the evidence being used by the prosecution against the minor. However, instead of relying on this evidence, a juvenile crimes defense lawyer will conduct an independent investigation in order to uncover any additional evidence that could be used to help exonerate their client. Additionally, an attorney will:

• Supply character witnesses on behalf of the child
• Handle all plea deal negotiations if they are warranted
• Fully prepare to take the case to trial in either the juvenile court system or adult court if the child has been charged as an adult

If you or somebody you care about is facing any type of juvenile criminal charge, arrest or investigation in Pinal County, including Casa Grande, Florence, San Tan Valley, and Apache Junction, you need lawyers you can trust and ready to fight for you and your family.  Contact us now at Ciccarelli Law Offices.   Our team has the track record for success in taking on juvenile and student crime cases. We charge reasonable fees and work with you when you need our help.  We have the resources necessary to investigate these cases and ensure that your minor child are treated fairly throughout the entire process. Your Success is our Mission.

Turn your worries into action and contact a team of experienced, compassionate juvenile attorney at Ciccarelli Law Offices. Its in our DNA to have your child’s back and fight like is family.  Your child’s Success is our Mission.