One bad decision can change a child’s life forever. People with criminal records routinely face discrimination in their personal relationships, during job searches, and when pursuing higher education. If you are a parent of a child who’s been charged with a juvenile offense, the best option you have for safeguarding their future is to contact a juvenile criminal defense lawyer in Colorado Springs.
Peakstone Law Group, LLC, formerly known as Patterson Weaver, LLC, is dedicated to helping children and families caught up in the legal system in Colorado Springs. Our attorneys know how difficult these situations can be. We always vigorously protect our clients’ rights, advise them on their options, and help them make informed decisions throughout the legal process.
Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your case with a juvenile defense attorney in Colorado Springs. We are ready to fight for your child’s liberty and future.
How Our Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Protect Your Child’s Rights
As a parent, you never want to see your child in trouble with the law. But if it happens, you want to get the aggressive legal representation they need to protect themselves and their future.
That’s where Peakstone Law Group, LLC, comes in. We understand that facing charges for a juvenile offense is a stressful and emotional time for you and your child. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the legal system and develop a customized defense strategy aimed at securing the best outcome, given the circumstances.
We offer around-the-clock availability by text, chat, or phone, so you can reach us whenever you have questions or concerns. We believe direct communication is crucial during these stressful times, so we make a point of keeping you informed every step of the way.
Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience in criminal defense and have successfully resolved thousands of cases for our clients. We have a strong track record of success in getting charges reduced or dismissed, and we will work tirelessly to protect your child’s future.
Your child’s future is at stake. There’s no time to waste. Contact Peakstone Law Group, LLC, today to speak with our juvenile defense attorneys in Colorado Springs, and we will listen to your concerns and explain your options during a free consultation.
How Criminal Charges Are Handled in Juvenile Court
Juvenile court is often speedier than standard criminal court, and the juvenile legal process differs substantially. Colorado provides a diagram showing the entire juvenile justice system process, but we can also break it down into the following stages:
- Arrest – Arresting officers take the child into custody and inform the parents of the arrest. The child is then released to the parents or detained in the event of particularly severe offenses.
- Pre-trial screenings and hearings – For children not released to their parents, the court system must quickly determine whether there is evidence that indicates the child should remain in state custody. Courts might also set a bond or grant for pre-trial release at this time.
- Filing charges – The district attorney has three days to bring charges. Otherwise, the court will dismiss the case. Children and their parents learn of any charges filed in separate hearings.
- Trial – Directly before a trial, the district attorney and the lawyer representing the juvenile can meet and attempt to negotiate a plea deal. If not, the case will likely end up before a judge who will decide based on the available facts and evidence. For most misdemeanors and nonviolent felony charges, juvenile trials occur within two months.
- Sentencing – If the court finds a child guilty, the judge will adjudicate a punishment and might or might not release the child back into their parents’ care, depending on the penalty.
Types of Criminal Charges Juveniles Face in Colorado Springs
At Peakstone Law Group, LLC, our experienced juvenile defense attorneys can help you and your child with any type of case involving juvenile charges, such as:
- Drug and alcohol possession offenses
- Theft crimes
- Vandalism offenses
- Traffic offenses and DUIs
- Assault, battery, and other violent crimes
Potential Penalties for Juveniles Facing Criminal Charges in Colorado Springs
Juvenile court is not the same as adult criminal court, and most juvenile charges carry lesser penalties as long as the court does not try them as an adult. Upon conviction, potential penalties for juvenile offenders include:
- Detention in juvenile facilities
- Probation
- Fines and fees
- Mandatory anger-management classes
- Community service
- Confinement in a hospital or mental health facility
- Mandatory school attendance requirements
Potential Defense Strategies in Juvenile Criminal Cases
Depending on the circumstances, there are several potential defense strategies we could pursue for your child. We might challenge the legality of a search or seizure that led to the arrest, question the credibility of the state’s witnesses or evidence, argue for reduced charges or sentences, or demonstrate that your child was acting in self-defense, for example.
The experienced juvenile defense attorneys at Peakstone Law Group, LLC, are ready to evaluate the unique facts of your child’s case and develop a customized legal strategy to set them up for success.
What Crimes Can Juveniles Be Charged with as Adults in Colorado Springs?
District attorneys have considerable leeway when deciding whether to try a juvenile offender as an adult. Crimes that are more likely to result in a juvenile being tried as an adult include:
- Homicide
- Aggravated assault
- Robbery
- Drug distribution
- Sexual assault
How Are Repeat Juvenile Offenses Handled?
A judge can sentence repeat juvenile offenders to mandatory time outside their homes for a year or more under Colorado’s Special Offender Categories for Juveniles. Courts often place repeat juvenile offenders into the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Contact Our Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyers in Colorado Springs
At Peakstone Law Group, LLC, we know how to protect your child from the charges they’re facing. Our founding attorney, Patterson Weaver, has extensive experience with Colorado juvenile law, both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. That means he understands both sides of the juvenile justice system and can leverage that knowledge to assist your child.
Contact our firm today for a free and confidential consultation with a juvenile criminal defense lawyer in Colorado Springs.