Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile Delinquency Attorney Lehi, UT – Hoyer Law
Hoyer Law Firm
51 E Main Street
Lehi, UT 84043
(801)901-0797
If a person under the age of 18 is convicted of breaking a federal, state, or municipal law within Utah, the matter is heard by the Utah Juvenile Court. The Utah Juvenile Court is a civil court, even though it may deal with criminal cases.
The objective of the Utah Juvenile Court is to rehabilitate young offenders, and not necessarily to punish them or to make an example of them. The Juvenile Court’s rules and procedures are not necessarily aimed at protecting parents’ rights. It is more in line with acting in the best interests of juveniles.
To ensure that you and your child’s rights are protected throughout the proceedings of the Juvenile Court, you need legal representation services from a reputable attorney who has extensive experience in Utah criminal and family law.
At Hoyer Law, we will not merely represent your child during hearings, but we will also go the extra mile to ensure that you and your rights are protected and that we provide you with sufficient information on the processes and applicable legislation.
If your child has had a run-in with the law, keep reading to learn more about your legal situation and how we can help.
Utah Juvenile Court
To understand what may be in store for your child, it may be worth taking an in-depth look at the Juvenile Court and how it differs from, say, the District Court.
Since the proceedings of the Juvenile Court are primarily concerned with rehabilitating juveniles, it will be more likely to sentence your child to community service or probation than jail. The Juvenile Court also has different procedures when it comes to juvenile delinquency. When seeking legal representation, it is, therefore, crucial to find a firm like Hoyer Law that has extensive experience with juvenile cases.
A jury never hears cases in the Juvenile Court. Instead, a judge determines if the juvenile is guilty and what an appropriate penalty should be.
Another prominent difference between the Juvenile Court and adult courts is that a juvenile cannot post bail and go home. If your child committed a crime, they would have to stay at a detention center for the duration of the trial.
Contributing to Juvenile Delinquency
At Hoyer Law, we frequently encounter cases where someone contributed to juvenile delinquency. If an adult encouraged a minor to commit a crime, the adult could be accused of contributing to the delinquency of a minor – a criminal charge that, according to Utah law, is punishable with a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to $2,000.
If you as parent or adult encouraged or caused a minor to commit a crime, or you are being investigated for contributing to juvenile delinquency, Hoyer Law can assist you with legal representation throughout the investigation and trial.
Serious Youth Offenders
According to Utah’s Serious Youth Offender Law, there are specific charges that should be handled by the criminal justice system. If a juvenile committed any of these charges, they would be charged as adults, regardless of whether it was their first offense.
According to Utah state law, this category of offenses should be punished, and the objective should not be rehabilitation. The charges in this category include:
– Murder or aggravated murder,
– Attempted murder or aggravated attempted murder,
– Any aggravated charge,
– Discharge of a firearm from a vehicle, and
– Crimes that a juvenile committed while being held in a secure facility.
The proceedings in cases like these occur in two steps. First, a hearing in a Juvenile Court will determine the juvenile’s level of guilt. Then, if the Juvenile Court judge finds that the juvenile is fully responsible for their actions, the case will be transferred to a criminal court, and the juvenile will be tried as an adult.
Contact Hoyer Law Today
If you are a minor under the age of 18, and you are accused of a crime, or if you are the parent of a minor who is being charged with a crime, don’t wait before seeking high-end legal representation.
Legal assistance from an early stage can, ultimately, result in an acquittal or lesser sentence. Seeking legal representation for you or your child is especially crucial if the crime falls under the category of charges listed under Utah’s Serious Youth Offender Law.
Hoyer Law can provide you with excellent representation, legal advice, and consultation services. Contact us today to learn more about our legal services for juvenile delinquency and to schedule an initial consultation.
