Phoenix Juvenile Attorney
One of the most important guiding principles of family law is ensuring children have access to a safe, secure, and positive environment. Unfortunately, circumstances may arise in which one or both parents are unable to provide children with these essential components; in other cases, the juveniles themselves may be at risk due to their own legal challenges. A Phoenix juvenile attorney can help parents, potential guardians, and juveniles navigate such challenges.
Desert Legal Group’s skilled juvenile attorneys take pride in advocating for juvenile rights. No matter the cause of your loved one’s juvenile legal issues, we can help you develop the strategy needed to put them on the path to a brighter future. Learn more about our juvenile law services.
What Is Juvenile Law?
Juvenile law is an area of law that focuses on the rights and actions of children or those who are under eighteen. Most often, juvenile law cases revolve around the child’s relationship with their parents or potential guardians. However, sometimes, a juvenile may commit a crime and need representation.
While many juvenile law cases do not go to trial, in Arizona, if a child commits a felony, they can be tried as an adult. For this reason, it is imperative that your child receive representation from an experienced attorney who is knowledgeable in the specific legal procedures and laws pertaining to juveniles. Our attorneys offer competent and compassionate representation for your child.
Phoenix Juvenile Lawyers Practice Areas
Unless they are facing severe criminal charges, all juvenile cases go through the superior court in the juvenile’s county of residence.
The following are some of the types of cases that our juvenile law attorneys in Phoenix, AZ, can handle for your family:
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Adoption
In some circumstances, parents must relinquish their rights to their children. While this often occurs because one or both parents are deceased, other cases involve extenuating circumstances that lead to this situation.
Reasons a parent may relinquish rights or be deemed unfit to care for their child include:
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Addiction
- Severe neglect
- Abuse
- Mental illness
When this happens, the child may become a ward of the state or may be adopted or provided with a legal guardian. Adopting a child or becoming their legal guardian is a way to provide them with the loving and nurturing home they deserve. However, the parental candidate must be willing and able to meet the child’s needs as determined by the court.
Arizona Family Court approaches adoption with the best interest of the children in mind, and potential parents can best demonstrate their ability to provide this by securing the assistance of a skilled Arizona juvenile attorney. When you choose Desert Legal Group to represent you in your adoption case, we can help you develop a winning strategy that secures you the rights to the child or children who deserve your care.
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Dependency
Dependency hearings are the court processes that occur when a child needs to be removed from their home because of allegations of abuse, abandonment, or neglect. To begin the process, a dependency petition must be filed within 72 hours of the child’s removal from the home.
There are many parties involved in the dependency process, which typically culminates in adoption or temporary placement with a relative. Dependency cases typically involve a case specialist, the child’s lawyer, the parent’s lawyer, the assistant attorney general, and the judge. Determining dependency is a complex process that can last over a year; several phases, such as the permanency hearing, can last up to 12 months.
The skilled juvenile attorneys at Desert Legal Group will work with you to ensure the proper placement of your loved one.
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Guardianship
A guardian is legally obligated to care for a child who is unable to care for themselves. Guardianship is not the same as dependency, though guardianship can lead to dependency in some cases. The goal of guardianship is for the minor to eventually become independent and self-reliant.
Guardians can be either temporary or permanent and can be any adult; they do not have to be a relative. The only requirement is that they are deemed capable by a judge and that they genuinely care for the well-being of the child.
Sometimes, parents provide consent for someone else to be the legal guardian of their child. In this case, the court process tends to be relatively straightforward. However, sometimes, the parent does not consent, and hiring a lawyer is the best option to ensure the child is under the care of a loving guardian.
If a child in your life is in need of a legal guardian, reach out to Desert Legal Group for a consultation.
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Emancipation
Sometimes, children do not require guardians and wish to be emancipated from their parents. The emancipation process culminates when a child is freed from the guardianship of their parents’ lives as an adult would. In Arizona, a minor can petition to be emancipated at 16 years old, but stringent qualifications are in place before the petition can be granted. These criteria are meant to demonstrate the juvenile’s ability to remain fully independent from adult help.
Emancipated children must provide for their own food, shelter, and clothing. They can also sue, consent to medical care, and even be responsible for paying child support if they have children. Emancipation is a serious commitment that requires considerable proof of its feasibility. If you and your family are facing a potential emancipation case, the juvenile attorneys at Desert Legal Group will be your best resource.
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Termination of Parental Rights
Sometimes, it is simply in the child’s best interest for the parents to terminate their parental rights. Not all parents are fit to care for children. If the environment deteriorates to the point at which it is more detrimental for the child to stay in their parent’s care than to live under the care of other adults, the best course of action may be for the parent to relinquish their rights to their child.
When the court decides this is the best option, then the next step is for the Department of Child Safety, the child’s lawyer, or the temporary guardian to file a motion for termination of parental rights. It is important for all advocates of the child to have the right lawyer on their side during this process. Emotions and legal entanglements can loom large during this delicate situation, and the juvenile attorneys at Desert Legal Group will not only ensure all paperwork is filed in an accurate and timely manner but also develop a strategy for your case while you handle the most pressing needs of the children involved.
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Juvenile Delinquency and Incorrigibility
Unlike the other juvenile law areas above, juvenile delinquency and incorrigibility deals with wrongdoing on the part of the juvenile rather than adults in their lives.
A juvenile is deemed incorrigible if they frequently run away, are truant, disobey their parent or guardian, violate curfew, smoke, or drink. A delinquent is a juvenile whose actions would be charged as a crime if they were an adult. In cases of incorrigibility, the juvenile may require legal representation to minimize potential penalties or help them enroll in a restoration program. In cases of delinquency, an attorney is essential to develop a strategy to navigate the juvenile court system.
The juvenile attorneys at Desert Legal Group can help you and your child navigate the challenging phases of the Arizona Juvenile Court System and give them the best chance at a bright future.
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Children Tried as Adults
Unfortunately, some children commit serious crimes. While juveniles who commit crimes like petty theft, vandalism, or simple assault must face the juvenile court system, juveniles who commit serious crimes may be tried as adults. A juvenile can be tried as an adult in Arizona if they are at least 14 and have a prior felony conviction; they can be tried between ages 15 and 17 if they are convicted of first or second-degree murder, forcible sexual assault, armed robbery, or any other violent felony.
Any juvenile tried as an adult should immediately hire a lawyer. Seek representation by a capable, competent, and experienced juvenile lawyer with the experience necessary to provide strong representation and ensure the child’s rights are protected. Reach out to Desert Legal Group to determine whether our juvenile attorneys can help your child as they face adult charges.
Why Hire a Phoenix Juvenile Lawyer?
Juvenile law is a very delicate, extremely specialized area of law that requires comprehensive care and attention. It takes a compassionate, skilled lawyer to handle these cases, as the laws surrounding them are unique. Juvenile cases are heard under a special division of the superior court in Arizona, so lawyers should be familiar with the procedures in this particular court.
Whether a child is in need of adult guardianship, attempting to petition for emancipation, or in need of representation after committing a crime, it is important to hire a skilled juvenile lawyer. Consult with the Phoenix juvenile lawyers at Desert Legal Group to begin developing a compassionate defense of your child’s rights.
Juvenile Law FAQs
Juvenile law is a highly specialized area of law, so it is not uncommon to have questions regarding these unique court proceedings. Here are some of the most common questions regarding juvenile law.
Juvenile law falls under the family law system, and many family lawyers can and do handle these cases. However, due to the complex procedures and legalities involved, it is important to secure representation from a specialized juvenile lawyer who can handle your specific case.
In Arizona, a child is considered a juvenile if they are between the ages of 8 and 18. At these ages the child can be represented by a lawyer and can be engaged in the court process. Children between these ages must also be appropriately informed of all court proceedings and processes if they face a courtroom trial or other legal proceedings.
The cost for a juvenile lawyer in Arizona varies based upon several factors. Some family law attorneys work through a government department and are funded by grants, while most others are private lawyers who may take the case and set their own price. These costs are largely determined by their level of experience, the case complexity, and their location.
Contact Desert Legal Group
The process of determining eligibility for annulment and pursuing this unique legal process can be complex. In both instances, Desert Legal Group’s experienced annulment attorneys can help.
The skilled juvenile attorneys at Desert Legal Group handle a wide variety of juvenile and other family law cases. Our mission is to provide every client with compassionate, comprehensive, high-quality representation. Whether you are facing an emancipation case, are a potential adoptive parent, or your child has committed a juvenile crime, we have the experience and knowledge necessary to represent your child’s best interests.
Contact us today to request a consultation where you can learn more about our services and discuss the details of your case.
