Are you a juvenile who has been charged with a crime in Arizona? An Arizona juvenile defense lawyer can help you understand the laws in Arizona and about juvenile delinquency proceedings. These proceedings are usually considered a civil proceeding, and juveniles might directly be prosecuted in the adult court for certain offenses. Some juvenile records might follow the child into their adulthood.
There are four juvenile matters phases:
- pre-filing of charges period
- detention
- jurisdiction
- disposition
During the pre filing charges period is when the courts come into contact with law enforcement. During this time is when you need to find an Arizona juvenile defense attorney right away if your child was released to you. The first step in the court process is the detention hearing which happens once a minor has been detained by law enforcement and they have filed a petition that alleges the child caused criminal conduct. If the petition has disputed allegations, then the court sets a jurisdiction hearing which is like being tried in adult court. Having a jurisdiction hearing is not for the jury, but a judge, and to consider if the courts need to become involved in controlling the juvenile.
The criminal conduct allegations must be proved beyond reasonable doubt during the jurisdiction hearing. The court will then take action to the case, during the disposition phase – simliar to being sentenced in adult court. If you are in need of a juvenile defense lawyer in Arizona, you should find one right away to help you with your case.
