Juvenile Defense
The goal of the juvenile justice system, at least on paper, is rehabilitation. But in many cases, the punishment is too harsh or youths do not get the help they need to make a change in their lives. Without quality legal representation by an experienced juvenile defense attorney, you can lose all control over what happens to your child. Our team of juvenile defense attorneys are here to help.
The juvenile criminal defense attorneys of Bentley, Kopecki, Smith, P.C., provide experienced and proactive representation if your son or daughter is accused of juvenile delinquency or a serious crime. We are protective of your child’s rights and his or her future in this stressful and confusing process. We practice in the juvenile courts (and adult courts) of Berks County and Lebanon County. Please contact our attorneys immediately if your child has been detained or cited for any criminal offense.
We offer a free half-hour initial consultation to explore your case and our abilities.
We Take This Seriously. So Should You.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that “everything will work out” or that your child will simply be “scared straight.” Juvenile charges require compassion and sensitivity, along with strategic and forceful advocacy. There is much we can do on the front end to reduce or dismiss the charges, and there are many issues to be addressed before your child’s first juvenile court hearing.
Experienced Defense For Juvenile Offenses
If you are the parent or guardian of a child under the age of 18, we understand your concerns. We are committed to holding juveniles accountable for their actions and helping them become responsible members of society. We are just as committed to holding the juvenile justice system accountable for its responsibility to rehabilitate your child and provide a second chance and appropriate resources.
Our Lancaster PA juvenile defense attorneys have represented juveniles charged or arrested for all types of crimes, including:
- Underage drinking
- Drug possession
- Drunk driving (DUI)
- Assaults, school fights and violent crimes
- Thefts and property crimes
- Criminal mischief
- Juvenile sex offenses
Everything about the juvenile system is different. The proceedings are not public and they are governed by separate rules. There is no right to a jury trial, and it is very difficult to win the bench trial even with a good attorney. The focus is not so much on fighting the allegations as influencing the outcome. We have good relations with the juvenile probation officers and the judges. This allows us to push for productive alternatives to having your child incarcerated in a juvenile detention facility — supervised probation, drug or alcohol treatment, anger management classes and psychological counseling, or even “boot camp.”
Make Sure Your Child Gets The Best Representation
Our Berks County juvenile defense attorneys have extensive experience with all stages of the juvenile justice system:
- Detention hearings (to get your child released to you)
- Disposition hearings (to decide the punishment)
- Transfer hearings (to be tried as an adult)
- Violation of probation hearings
- Review hearings
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys
We are committed to protecting your child’s future. Call our Reading juvenile defense attorneys at (610) 685-8000, or contact us online, to schedule a free initial consultation.
