Savannah Juvenile Crime Lawyer

It is imperative to retain experienced legal counsel as soon as possible when a child is accused of a crime to ensure their rights are protected and to navigate the complexities of the juvenile justice system.

Navigating the Juvenile Justice System in Georgia

While youthful offenders do not typically face the harsh penalties adult offenders encounter, there is still a lot at stake for your arrested son or daughter. Fortunately, the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment in processing young offenders. Still, serious consequences can result. Even if a child’s case stays in juvenile court, it can result in substantial fines or confinement. This depends on the seriousness of the offense and whether or not your child is a repeat offender. Additionally, a juvenile record can impact future educational and employment opportunities, making it crucial to address these matters promptly and with experienced legal guidance.

The juvenile court system can be a complex process for the accused and their parents alike. Part of our job in working with juvenile crime defense is to guide you through the maze of a confusing system, provide you with the most important information, and help you make the decisions that will benefit you.

Juvenile delinquency, or offending, can be separated into three categories:

• Delinquency, crimes committed by minors, which are dealt with by the juvenile courts and justice system. These offenses may be classified as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on their severity.
• Criminal behavior, crimes dealt with by the criminal justice system
• Status offenses, offenses that are only classified as such because one is a minor, such as truancy, are also dealt with by juvenile courts

Types of Juvenile Offenses We Defend

Our criminal lawyers in Savannah at the Law Office of Jarrett Maillet have the experience and commitment to serve behind your child’s juvenile crime defense in cases of:

• Drug possession (including marijuana and prescription drugs)
• Drug sales
• DUI
• Underage drinking
• Shoplifting
• Trespassing
• Theft
• Assault
• Gang-related offenses
• Felony
• Murder

Certain serious offenses, such as felonies and murder, are tried in superior court or superior courts.

The juvenile criminal justice system is intended to be focused on doing what is best for the child. We work to make sure that mandate is never forgotten. Our firm has the tools, the experience, and the dedication to our clients to help juveniles through the complex juvenile justice system. We will fight for the rights of juveniles and ensure they are properly represented in every hearing. Our team is committed to making sure juveniles are effectively represented and advocated for in court proceedings.

The Lasting Impact of Juvenile Criminal Charges

Juvenile criminal allegations can seriously affect your child’s reputation and ability to maintain or secure future education and employment. An allegation or charge of a Georgia juvenile crime can lead to consequences such as suspension or expulsion from school and may also impact eligibility for scholarships. If convicted as a juvenile, it can lead to long-term negative consequences, including impacts on school opportunities and future prospects. The possibility of arrest, jail time, a juvenile record, trial, or accusations made by the prosecutor in an open court all have impacts on underage youth.

If your child is accused of, charged with, or investigated in connection with a criminal offense, time is of the essence. Don’t lose valuable legal advantages while you are waiting to secure legal representation. Our juvenile criminal defense lawyers in Savannah, GA, understand the severity of the situation and work diligently to obtain the best possible outcome for your child, ensuring that your child’s mistakes don’t follow him or her into adulthood.

Why Choose Our Criminal Defense Attorney

Jarrett Maillet is an experienced juvenile defense lawyer in Savannah, GA and he has a wealth of trial experience gives us a thorough understanding of the defense tactics to which juvenile courts and judges respond favorably. We also pursue sentencing options to prevent a youth from acquiring a criminal record that can limit future prospects.

The juvenile crimes attorneys at Jarrett Maillet J.D., P.C. are aware of the sensitive nature of juvenile cases. Because our Savannah, GA juvenile defense attorneys truly care about our clients, we work to ensure your case is handled confidentially and discreetly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Juvenile Crimes in Savannah, GA

What is the difference between the Juvenile Court process and the Adult Criminal Court process in Savannah?

The Savannah/Chatham County Juvenile Court system operates under the principle of rehabilitation rather than punishment, which is the primary difference from the adult criminal court. The process is initiated by a Complaint instead of a warrant, and the subsequent hearing is called an Adjudicatory Hearing (trial) that is decided by a judge, not a jury. If the judge finds the child committed the act, they are adjudicated delinquent—not convicted. An experienced juvenile defense attorney focuses on negotiating an Informal Adjustment or diversion program, which allows the case to be dismissed upon successful completion, avoiding a formal finding of delinquency altogether.

Can a juvenile under the age of 17 be tried as an adult for a crime committed in Savannah?

Yes, a juvenile can be tried as an adult, which is a critical concern that an attorney must immediately address. Georgia law grants the Superior Court exclusive jurisdiction over juveniles age 13 or older who are charged with serious, violent felonies, such as murder, rape, or armed robbery with a firearm—often referred to as the “Seven Deadly Sins.” Even for other serious felonies, the Juvenile Court can hold a Transfer Hearing to decide whether to waive jurisdiction to the adult court if the judge finds rehabilitation is unlikely. Successfully defending against this transfer is paramount, as an adult conviction means facing adult penalties and a permanent criminal record.

What are the potential long-term consequences of a juvenile delinquency record in Chatham County?

While juvenile records in Georgia are designed to be more confidential than adult records, a delinquency adjudication can still have serious long-term consequences if not properly sealed. Although an adjudication is not a criminal “conviction,” the record can impact a child’s future educational opportunities, including scholarship eligibility, and may be a factor in future employment or military enlistment decisions. In Chatham County, a juvenile’s records may be automatically sealed upon the successful completion of an informal adjustment or dismissal, but for more serious findings, the former juvenile must apply to have the records sealed, which requires legal assistance to ensure it is done correctly and fully protects the child’s future.

Get in Touch with Our Juvenile Crime Lawyer in Savannah, GA

Our Savannah juvenile crime attorneys understand the importance of keeping your child’s case in the juvenile justice system and out of adult courts, which have much more severe penalties. We will work aggressively on your child’s behalf to achieve the most favorable outcome possible, preferably one in which charges are dropped or that will result in the least restrictive consequences. To have your juvenile law case dealt with constructively, contact our office today at (912) 713-3426. Schedule your free initial consultation.