Fort Wayne Juvenile Delinquency Hearings Lawyers
At the law offices of Arnold Terrill Anzini, P.C., in Fort Wayne, Indiana,
our lawyers and staff believe that every young person deserves the best
opportunity to grow into a productive adult. If your teenager has been
arrested and faces a juvenile disciplinary hearing anywhere in northeastern
Indiana, call us at
888-912-7220 right away.
Some common reasons a child might face a juvenile delinquency proceeding
include (but are not limited to):
Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings Are A Civil Matter
Thousands of juvenile delinquency petitions are filed each year in courts
throughout northeast Indiana. Unlike adults charged with criminal offenses,
juvenile delinquency proceedings are civil (not criminal) matters. However,
a magistrate or judge has vast discretion in deciding the best treatment
plan or disposition for a child. For example, under some circumstances
a judge or magistrate might determine that a child should be placed in
the custody and care of the Department of Corrections. Disposition alternatives
can range from informal probation all the way to the Department of Corrections.
A child commits a delinquent act if, before reaching the age of 18 years,
the child commits an act that would be an offense if committed by an adult,
except an act committed by a person over which the juvenile court lacks
jurisdiction. A child is deemed a delinquent child if the child (1) commits
a delinquent act, (2) needs care, treatment or rehabilitation that (a)
the child is not receiving, (b) the child is unlikely to accept voluntarily,
and (c) is unlikely to be provided or accepted without the coercive intervention
of the court.
If a child is detained (i.e., the Allen County Justice Center, a.k.a. ACJC),
the state must file a petition alleging the delinquent act within seven
days from the date the child was taken into custody. A detained child
has the right to a trial (fact-finding hearing) within 20 days after the
petition was filed, excluding weekends and holidays. Fortunately, the
state must prove each and every element of the alleged offense(s) beyond
a reasonable doubt. Like a criminal defendant in the adult system, a juvenile
has all of the same constitutional safeguards and is not required to present
any evidence.
Protect Your Child's Future — Choose An Experienced Law Firm
The attorneys at Arnold Terrill Anzini, P.C., understand the care and concern
that parents and family members have when faced with such a situation.
We strongly encourage juveniles to seek legal representation in an effort
to learn all that they can about the charge(s) and possible constitutional
safeguards and defenses available. Please feel free to call us at
888-912-7220 or
send us an email with a brief description of your child's circumstances. We will be
pleased to assist you.