Juvenile Defense Attorneys in Greensboro
The North Carolina Juvenile Code defines a juvenile delinquent as anyone at least six years of age but under 16 who commits an offense that is a crime under state law or under an ordinance of local government, including violation of the motor vehicle laws.
According to the juvenile defense lawyers at The Clifford Division, a North Carolina minor accused of committing a crime typically goes through the juvenile justice system, which is separate and different from the adult criminal justice system. The police do not place juveniles under arrest, but rather take them into temporary custody. They have no right to a trial by jury, but instead are subject to a hearing before a district court judge. A juvenile court counselor helps the court assess the juvenile's situation and is an active part of the case.
What happens if the court finds a Greensboro juvenile guilty of a crime?
After the police take a youth into custody, the officer in charge has to choose one of the following options:
- Hold the youth in custody and levy charges
- Release the juvenile
- Transfer him or her into another program
The officer bases this decision on information obtained from the victims of the crime, statements, or admissions made by the youth and any past records he or she may have in the juvenile justice system.
If the officer in charge files criminal charges, the presiding judge has many options, including:
- Placing him or her on probation
- Requiring the youth to reimburse the victim for any property damage he or she may have caused
- Mandating that the juvenile spend a certain number of hours working in the community without pay
- Ordering the youth to attend school regularly and to make satisfactory grades
- Requiring the juvenile to participate in counseling if the crime was related to drugs or emotional problems
Which disposition the judge orders will depend on the seriousness of the offense, the prior record of the juvenile, his or her immediate needs, and whether the juvenile poses a threat to the community. If the police take your child into custody for committing a crime, you need to discuss your options with a criminal defense attorney in Greensboro or High Point, who regularly works in Juvenile Court, as soon as possible.
Contact experienced juvenile defense lawyers immediately
A juvenile arrest is a serious matter an attorney needs to deal with professionally and judiciously. If the police take your child into custody for a juvenile offense, now is the time to contact us. The Greensboro juvenile defense attorneys at The Clifford Division are here to help. For legal assistance, please call toll free 336-574-2788 and ask for The Clifford Division or use our convenient contact us form.
There are statutes that allow expurgation of some juvenile records.
Hours of operation
Monday thru Friday 8.30 am until 5.00pm
Other hours by appointment
What Cases We Handle
We accept N.C. District Court criminal cases in Guilford County- including Greensboro and High Point, NC.
We accept N.C. Superior Court criminal cases in Guilford County- including Greensboro and High Point, NC.
We go to District Court in Guilford County- Greensboro and High Point, NC- for 50Bs and 50Cs.
Locke will consider an out of county NC District Court case on a very limited case by case basis.
Locke will consider an out of county NC Superior Court case on a case by case basis.
We accept Misdemeanor cases in the Middle District of NC Federal Court in Greensboro, Winston-Salem and sometimes Statesville and Durham, NC.
We accept Felony cases in the Middle District of NC Federal Court in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham and Statesville, NC and on a case by case basis in any federal court in the US.
We accept Federal civil forfeiture cases, post- conviction work and investigations on a case by case basis.
We do private prosecutions in state court on a case by case basis.
