Poughkeepsie Juvenile Crimes Lawyers

Skilled Defense Against Juvenile Charges in Hudson Valley

As a parent, you want to protect your child. You want them to reach their full potential. But sometimes, children do something that they shouldn't have. When this happens, you may be worried about what will happen to your child, both the potential consequences they face in the present and what this could mean for their future. If your child has been arrested for a crime, it is important that you find a lawyer who can help. Our Poughkeepsie criminal defense firm can provide you with the skilled defense that your child needs.

At McCabe, Coleman, Ventosa & Patterson PLLC, we have a proven track record of success. We have helped countless people in the Poughkeepsie area fight their criminal charges. We have a team of highly skilled and compassionate attorneys who know how to fight for their clients. If your child has been arrested for a crime, we can help. We understand the unique challenges of the juvenile justice system, and we have the decades of experience to help protect your child from serious charges and penalties. We can help them move forward with their lives.

Schedule your consultation with a Poughkeepsie juvenile crime defense lawyer by calling (845) 209-1355.

What Happens When a Child Is Charged with a Crime?

This depends on many factors, such as the age of the child, and whether they've been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. The main factor that determines which legal process your child will go through is their court-designated status.

• Juvenile delinquents are under 18 years old and more than 7 years old. Juvenile delinquents' cases go through Family Court.
• Youthful offenders are 14 to 18 years old, and with this status, they would not be given a permanent criminal record.
• Juvenile offenders are 13, 14, and 15 years old who have been charged with a major felony, and their cases go to the Supreme or County Court's Youth Part. While juvenile offenders face lesser sentences than adults would, a conviction would still mean carrying a permanent criminal record.
• Adolescent offenders are 16 and 17 years old and have been charged with a felony. They will also have their cases heard in the Youth Part of the County or Supreme Court.

If the court so chooses, even juvenile offenders and adolescent offenders can have their cases be sent to Family Court instead, with the child now being viewed by the court as a juvenile delinquent. It can also be possible to convince a court to change an accused youth's status to that of youthful offender, sparing that kid from a lasting criminal record.

Our Juvenile Crime Attorneys Have the Experience You Need

While juvenile crime charges are serious, it is still possible to protect your child's future and limit their exposure to the criminal court system. At McCabe, Coleman, Ventosa & Patterson PLLC, we bring more than 200 years of collective insight, resources, and proven strategies to help protect our clients in Poughkeepsie and beyond, helping them to avoid the restrictions of a criminal record. We're ready to hear your story and to discuss how we may be able to help your child get past this serious legal hurdle.

We're available 24/7 to help you, so call (845) 209-1355 now! We offer our juvenile defense services in English, French, and Spanish.