A juvenile charge can follow a young person for years. Our attorneys fight to protect minors from consequences that could derail their lives before they have really begun.
The juvenile justice system in West Virginia is designed to rehabilitate rather than punish — but that does not mean the consequences are minor. Juvenile adjudications can affect a young person's ability to obtain a driver's license, attend certain schools, qualify for financial aid, and in some cases follow them into adulthood. Our juvenile defense lawyers advocate for outcomes that give young people the best chance to move forward.
We represent juveniles at every stage of the process — from initial detention through adjudication and disposition — and work closely with families to navigate a system that can be confusing and overwhelming.
West Virginia offers several diversion and alternative programs for juvenile offenders that can allow a young person to avoid a formal adjudication entirely. These programs typically involve community service, counseling, or other requirements, and successful completion results in the charges being dismissed. We explore every available diversion option before proceeding to formal proceedings.
In serious cases, the state may seek to transfer a juvenile to adult court — a process with potentially life-altering consequences. We fight vigorously against transfer motions and ensure that the juvenile court's rehabilitative purpose is honored. When transfer cannot be prevented, we provide the same aggressive defense in adult court that we would for any client facing serious charges.
We represent clients throughout the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia and surrounding areas.
Contact our juvenile defense attorneys today. We will stand by your family at every stage of the process.