Morgantown Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Juvenile Defense Attorney In Morgantown, WV

When your child faces criminal accusations, it can feel like your world has been turned upside down. If you are a parent in West Virginia, you can contact a Morgantown juvenile defense lawyer to make sure a mistake made in your child’s youth does not dictate the rest of their life.

Suppose it is alleged that your child was drinking underage on the West Virginia University campus. Or perhaps they were accused of shoplifting from a store in the Suncrest Towne Center. Regardless of the circumstances, a qualified juvenile defense lawyer can protect their rights and secure their future.

Why Work With Meadows Law PLLC

Members of the Meadows Law PLLC legal team have spent years supporting young people across West Virginia through coaching, mentorship, and, now, legal representation. Our lead attorney, a proud former United States Marine, defends young West Virginians accused of juvenile offenses with the commitment and resilience he learned in the Marine Corps.

He is committed to advocating for the rights of those who consult him. He is ready to defend your child at the Monongalia County Justice Center on High Street, where their juvenile defense case will likely be heard.

Understanding Juvenile Crimes in Morgantown

West Virginia law defines a juvenile as any person aged 10 to 17. The juvenile justice system aims to prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Still, the consequences of a juvenile criminal decision can be long-lasting and severe.

A conviction can affect your child’s ability to get into college, find employment, obtain housing, or even join the military. There is a broad range of offenses in Morgantown that can be tried in juvenile courts. Some common crimes include:

• Underage possession or use of alcohol and drugs
• Driving while intoxicated
• Shoplifting
• Vandalism or destroying property
• Assault or battery
• Truancy or defying curfew
• Disorderly conduct

A minor can be transferred to adult court for more serious incidents. This process, a waiver, is typically used in cases where older teens have been accused of violent felonies like robbery, sexual assault, or murder.

Per the Juvenile Justice Database, 14,272 juveniles entered West Virginia’s juvenile justice system in 2023. Of these cases, 2,073 were referred to juvenile court, while seven were transferred to criminal court.

When a waiver is granted, the juvenile faces the same legal procedures and potential penalties as an adult. Navigating juvenile defense laws requires an understanding of the system. A Morgantown juvenile defense attorney can fight to keep your child’s case within the juvenile system and achieve a more favorable outcome.

The Juvenile Justice Process in West Virginia

Understanding the components of what constitutes a juvenile defense case can benefit you and your child. Although each situation differs, there are general stages each case contains.

When a minor is accused of a crime, the filing of a petition with the court begins the legal proceedings. The preliminary hearing marks your child’s first appearance. At this time, the judge reviews the petition and decides if probable cause exists to believe a crime was committed.

Then, an adjudicatory hearing follows. The prosecutor has the burden of proving that a juvenile committed an offense. If the judge declares the charges are true, the child is not found guilty but deemed an adjudicated delinquent.

The final stage is the dispositional hearing. It is similar to a sentencing in adult court, as a judge will consider factors such as:

• The nature of the incident
• Your child’s history
• Statements from social workers or probation officers

A juvenile disposition can range from probation to community service to placement in a juvenile detention facility. A qualified legal team can offer guidance, create a strong defense, and advocate for prioritizing rehabilitation and a minor’s future.

FAQs

What Is the Role of a Juvenile Defense Attorney?

The role of a juvenile defense attorney is to safeguard a minor’s rights during the legal process. This entails explaining the charges and possible consequences, investigating the case, and discrediting the prosecution’s evidence.

Your child’s attorney is supposed to advocate for their best interests and aim for fairer outcomes like dismissal, acquittal, or rehabilitation instead of punishment. With skill, they can work to reduce the long-term impact of a juvenile charge on your child’s education and future.

What Are the Five Steps of the Juvenile Justice System?

The five steps of the juvenile justice system are intake, petition, adjudicatory hearing, dispositional hearing, and aftercare. At the intake stage, authorities choose whether to handle the case formally or informally. Formally, a petition is filed and leads to an adjudicatory hearing.

If the child is found delinquent, their case may move to a dispositional hearing. Here, the judge determines the consequences. The final step is aftercare, a stage like parole, which helps the child transition back into the community.

Can a Lawyer Defend Their Child in West Virginia?

A lawyer can defend their child in West Virginia legally. However, it is usually inadvisable. Emotional involvement could impair a parent’s professional judgment and create a conflict of interest. A parent who’s a lawyer may struggle to stay objective when questioning their child.

Instead of defending their child themselves, a parent should hire an impartial, experienced juvenile defense attorney. Such a lawyer can approach the case professionally to guarantee the child receives the most effective defense possible.

What Is the Most Common Argument of a Defense Attorney?

One of the most common arguments of a defense attorney is that the prosecution was insufficient and did not meet its burden of proof. In any criminal or juvenile case, the state must prove the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A defense attorney should be able to examine the evidence and identify weaknesses, inconsistencies, and procedural mistakes. For instance, they can contend that the evidence presented is insufficient to remove any reasonable doubt.

Hire a Juvenile Defense Lawyer

When your child’s future is at stake, you need the guidance of a legal advocate well-versed in juvenile defense laws. The legal team at Meadows Law PLLC has a proven track record of protecting the rights of minors in Morgantown and throughout West Virginia.

Contact us today to hire a juvenile defense lawyer who can work tirelessly to safeguard your child’s rights and future.