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Juvenile attorneys are responsible for representing minors in criminal and civil cases. Juvenile attorneys must have expertise in juvenile criminal law and family law. It is important that you choose the right juvenile attorney to represent your child carefully. An Omaha juvenile defense law firm can assist you in helping you find the right representation for you. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the role of a juvenile attorney and what to expect if you must hire one.
Duties of a Juvenile Attorney
Juvenile attorneys have several responsibilities, but it all depends on the circumstances. Juvenile attorneys represent minors if they’ve committed a crime. Juvenile lawyers must understand how the legal system works when it comes to juveniles. Oftentimes, these types of attorneys are already familiar with this field of work and therefore have formed relationships with the judges, law enforcement, and other officials. This is why it is critical that a juvenile hires representation when attempting to get rid of a charge.
Furthermore, juvenile attorneys must be knowledgeable in psychology and social work. Since they are dealing with minors, they will be dealing with various types of emotions, some that they haven’t quite learned how to control yet. It’s up to the attorney to be able to keep everyone calm in these types of situations.
Juvenile attorneys are also responsible for representing minors in civil cases. For example, a judge may designate a juvenile lawyer in divorce cases to ensure that the child’s interests are addressed. This type of arrangement is typically only made if the judge believes that the child is in some type of danger.
Juvenile attorneys are also responsible for representing children in family law cases that involve the family and government. This happens if a government agency is attempting to take a child away from their home with the intention of placing them in foster care. In these types of cases, a juvenile attorney may need to step in to ensure that the child receives the best outcome. At some point, the child may be able to return to their home. In other cases, it could result in terminating a parent’s parental rights.
How Are Payments Made to a Juvenile Attorney?
There are a couple of different places where payment may come from to cover the costs of a juvenile attorney. The family of the juvenile may pay to hire a juvenile attorney on their own. The services may also be paid by the government. In cases where the government covers the cost of the attorney, the court will appoint the attorney.
How to Choose the Right Juvenile Attorney
There are several questions you should ask before you hire a juvenile attorney to represent your child:
- How many of the cases that you represented made it to trial?
- How many juvenile cases have you represented in total throughout your career?
- Do you know the legal differences between adult and juvenile criminal cases?
It’s important to find an attorney who is experienced and has your child’s best interests in mind.
