Juvenile Defense Attorneys in Cleveland
The juvenile justice system is distinctly different from the adult criminal justice system. Where adult court is concerned with penalizing the guilty, juvenile court is designed to help youths redirect their lives and stay out of trouble. When older youths are accused of serious felony crimes, however, they may be bound over to adult court where they will face the full consequences. Goldberg Dowell & Associates can capably represent your child in either venue, but we will do everything possible to keep him or her in the juvenile system to avoid unduly harsh punishment and preserve hope for a brighter future.
Our Cleveland criminal defense lawyers represent teenagers accused of crimes in Cuyahoga County and surrounding jurisdictions of northeast Ohio. Contact us today to find out where your child stands and how our legal team can help.
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Defense Lawyers For Minors Charged With Crimes
Attorney Michael J. Goldberg brings 37 years of experience and John Dowell has 15 years of experience in the local courts, including juvenile court. Our defense team represents youths under the age of 18 on the full spectrum of charges:
- Drug crimes
- Sex offenses
- Assaults and fights
- Gang offenses
- Weapon offenses
- Theft and burglary
- Vandalism
- OVI and underage drinking
- Violent felonies (homicide, robbery, rape, aggravated assault)
Avoiding Adult Court And Making The Most Of Juvenile Court
Our goal is keeping the focus on rehabilitation versus punishment for juveniles. The older the offender and the more serious the crime, the more likely that the county prosecutor will try to have the youth bound over to the adult system. By intervening early in the process, we can argue mitigating factors or otherwise convince the prosecutor that the youth should not be charged as an adult.
Youths who are charged as adults do not get special treatment. They are taken to county jail and, if convicted, sent to state prison with the rest of the adult population. Do not wait until it is too late.
Even in the juvenile justice system, it is important to have an experienced defense lawyer to advocate for your son or daughter. Our juvenile defense attorneys assert the rights of our young clients in juvenile court to ensure they are treated fairly and not merely punished. He helps juvenile offenders get the services they need such as counseling or substance abuse treatment, and aims for alternatives to correctional facilities, such as probation, restitution, community service and home incarceration.
Free Consultation For Your Child’s Defense
Goldberg Dowell & Associates will not let your child be railroaded or mistreated. To arrange a free consultation, call us today at 216-592-8719 or 800-845-4710, or contact us online.