Brendan W. Caver DCFS, Juvenile and Criminal Defense Attorney
DELINQUENCY
We Take Juvenile Cases in Rockford, IL
Children and teenagers aren't always able to reason and see consequences the way that adults can. Decisions they make which they believe is all in good fun, or won't be of much harm can negatively impact them for the rest of their lives. Anytime a child has unfortunate contact with law enforcement, you need help. Regardless of the charges they face, a juvenile delinquency attorney in Rockford, IL will have the insight and understanding to keep your minor out of detention and help you avoid paying serious fines. At The Law Office of Brendan W. Caver we will help you and your child put a run-in with the law behind them.
See What Our Clients Have To Say
"Brendan was all around awesome to work with. He is very thorough and informative. He took the time to explain everything because I had many questions throughout the process as I have never been in a situation like this before. Brendan made the process very easy. He would always respond to emails and phone calls in a quick manner. I would highly recommend."
Anamarie G.
Rating 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And read more of our reviews on Google.
Juvenile Delinquency in Rockford, IL
Prosecutors in juvenile delinquency court are different from those in criminal court and often have different goals. Getting ahead of the problem can avoid misunderstandings and prevent charges from being filed where evidence is lacking or suspect. With over 10 years’ experience in juvenile delinquency law, put Brendan’s service as a former prosecutor and a seasoned juvenile criminal defense lawyer in Rockford, IL to work for your child.
Juvenile Cases we Defend
Regardless of the case we’re defending, we represent your child’s best interests to the fullest extent possible. We know that both yours and your child’s reputation and integrity are on the line. We seek favorable outcomes that help everyone put legal incidents behind them as soon as possible. We aim to keep your child out of juvenile detention at all costs. We know this is often the first step in recidivism, so we pursue other settlements more in favor of your child’s future.
Our experience with juvenile cases spans all types of charges. We’re equipped to defend your child in situations involving:
- vandalism - there are a number of activities that could be classified as vandalism, graffiti, breaking windows, dumping trash, and bending or breaking signs, to name a few.
- theft - theft can occur in multiple ways such as shoplifting, stealing something from a friend or classmate, or taking something from a stranger or neighbor's yard or vehicle.
- disorderly conduct - basically anytime someone is being a nuisance in public it could be considered disorderly. Disturbing noise ordinances, public drunkenness, and loitering are all examples of disorderly conduct.
- underage intoxication - minors are not allowed to drink if they are found to be in possession of alcohol or inebriated they can get in trouble with the law.
- drug possession - having illegal drugs on your person can get you in a lot of trouble with the law.
- and much more.
We can even step in when there are serious charges on the line, including assault.
Common Questions About The Youth Criminal Justice System
In the state of Illinois the Department of Juvenile Justice is in charge of handling cases involving minors. Typically children and teens under the age of eighteen are tried differently than adults, this is not always the case, but usually. If your child as been charged with a crime it can be a stressful and anxious time. As a parent you want what it best for them and to keep them from consequences that negatively impact their future. Some of the common questions we get asked from parents whose children are facing criminal charges include:
- Will I Be Tried As An Adult? - The juvenile court system handles almost all cases involving minors under 18 years old. In certain circumstances a minor could be transferred to adult court however. Typically these types of cases involve either a minor who is 15 years or older and has already been found guilty in the juvenile court system on multiple occasions, a minor who is 13 years or older and where it is believed it would not be in the public's best interest to try them as a minor, or a minor who is 16 years or old and where the crime is of a very serious nature such as first degree murder, sexual assault, or aggravated battery with a firearm.
- What Is The Parent's Responsibility? - It's important for parents to be involved when their children are charged with a crime. The court system wants to make sure that children have the proper supports in place in their home life for adequate rehabilitation. As far as court proceedings, parents can stand by their children, a juvenile defense lawyer's job is to act in the child's best interest and will come up with a strategy that is best for them.
- Will I End Up In Juvenile Hall or A Juvenile Detention Center? - The juvenile court system prefers not to send minors to juvenile detention centers if possible. They will look for alternative ways for a minor to take responsibility and make up for the mistakes they have made. This includes opportunities like community service, probation, drug counseling or treatment, and more.
- Will I End Up With A Record? - If a minor is found guilty of a crime they will have a juvenile record. This record will exist until they turn 18 years old. At that time there are a few different things that could happen. The law enforcement record could possibly be automatically expunged if:
- It has been 1 year or more since the date of the arrest,
- No petition for delinquency or criminal charges was filed with the court,
- It has been 6 months without an additional arrest or filing of a petition for delinquency or criminal charges, and
- The record was created after January 1, 2000.
There are a number of crimes that do not qualify for automatic expungement however and require the processing of an official expungement form. A qualified juvenile defense attorney near you can help with the expungement process and answer any questions you might have about it.
Brendan Will Answer Your Questions
When your child has a run-in with the law, you’re going to have questions. Make sure they’re being answered by a well-qualified juvenile delinquency attorney. For answers to your specific questions, please call or text 815-714-9508 for your free consultation, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
