Santa Cruz Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorney

Helping Juveniles in the Counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Monterey, California

Criminal charges brought against a juvenile can wreak havoc on the entire family. If you are the parent of a juvenile who has been accused of a crime in Santa Cruz county, Santa Clara county or Monterey county, both you and your son or daughter are probably confused, frightened, and distressed. As a parent, you may be wondering how best to deal with such a situation. As a Santa Cruz juvenile crimes defense lawyer, Christine McGuire can provide the legal counsel your child needs at such a difficult time. Her job is to guide your child through the juvenile justice system, acting as his or her advocate, protecting his or her rights, and using her more than 25 years of legal experience handling criminal cases as a prosecutor.  She understands what a critical role this experience will play in your child's future. A juvenile criminal conviction can negatively impact a young life, risking future educational and career opportunities.

Juvenile Crimes in California

If your child is involved in a juvenile delinquency case that means he or she is accused of breaking the law.  The court can make orders that let your child live with you under court supervision or put your child in an unlocked or locked facility.  The court will consider how old your child is, how serious the crime is, and the child's criminal record if any.  A child may be charged with offenses based on his or her age, such as underage drinking or charged with crimes that adults commit, such as petty theft, vandalism, graffiti , weapons charges, auto theft, burglary, robbery, drug crimes and sex crimes.  A child over a certain age can be tried as an adult for some very violent and serious crimes.  There are big differences between juvenile court and adult court.

Your child can be put on probation. He or she may have to live in a group home, or in an institution or  put on probation and sent to probation camp or ranch.  Your child can be sent to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice also called DJJ. If your child is tried in adult court, he or she will be sent to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Adult Operations also called CDC. Contact the Santa Cruz juvenile crimes defense attorney at The Christine McGuire Law Office today.

Contact a Santa Cruz Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorney at The Christine McGuire Law Office today!