Juvenile Crimes Attorney in Salt Lake City

If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, you are likely feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. Being convicted of a crime as a young person can lead to multiple lost opportunities, including bars from certain educational and professional opportunities. Hope is not lost. A juvenile criminal lawyer from Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, is here to fight for optimal case outcomes.

The dedicated juvenile criminal defense lawyers at Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, have years of combined experience representing young people who have been charged with committing crimes. We can work closely with you to help you understand the charges you are facing and the general legal processes ahead. Our team can build a strong criminal defense strategy on your behalf. Give us a call today at (801) 448-0683 or visit us online to get started.

If Your Child’s Future Is at Stake, Call Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law!

Children are our most precious resource. As a mother of two, I have a deep passion for protecting young people to ensure they have a bright future. I believe the welfare of every child is important, which is why I am fully committed to helping juveniles facing criminal charges receive the skilled legal representation they deserve.

Unfortunately, many children throughout Utah grow up under very difficult circumstances. Some live in poverty, and others are abused and neglected. But many kids also come from good, loving parents. Regardless of how they were raised when your child is charged with a crime, it can ruin their life. They may experience restrictions when applying for jobs, college, scholarships, and housing due to their record.

As such, you must retain Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, to fight tirelessly for your child’s best interests. I will treat your child’s situation as if it were my own children’s livelihoods on the line. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at (801) 448-0683 to learn how I can help.

Who Is a “Juvenile” Under Utah Law?

Anyone who has violated Utah, federal, or local laws before their 18th birthday is considered a juvenile offender. Utah’s Juvenile Court Act of 1996 established juvenile courts to resolve criminal cases involving minors.

Juvenile crime convictions can result in a myriad of harmful consequences depending on your child’s history of criminal episodes. The five levels of criminal episode history are:

• Level I: 0 to 3 misdemeanor episodes or 0 felony episodes
• Level II: 4 to 5 misdemeanor episodes or 1 felony episodes
• Level III: 6 to 7 misdemeanor episodes or 2 to 3 felony episodes
• Level IV: 8 or more misdemeanor episodes; or 4 felony episodes; or 1 person felony episode; or 1 firearm felony episode
• Level V: 5 or more felony episodes; or 2+ person felony episodes; or 2+ firearm felony episodes; or any felony after community placement (including presenting offense)

After assessing your child’s criminal episode history, the court may administer the following juvenile crime penalties:

• Probation
• State supervision
• Community placement
• Secure facility
• Fines
• Restitution
• Community service

Dedicated to Defending Juveniles Accused of Crimes

No two juvenile crime cases are the same. When a child has been charged with a crime, it can be a traumatic and difficult experience for both the child and their parents. Luckily, during my 15+ years of experience as a Salt Lake City juvenile defense lawyer, I have earned a successful track record for helping minors put their charges behind them and move forward. I help countless juveniles, ranging from elementary school to college students, overcome the following charges:

• College Students Crimes
• Juvenile Assault
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Juvenile Sex Crimes
• Juvenile Theft Crimes
• Sexting
• Underage Drinking

Most people charged with crimes, especially children, do not properly understand their rights. To resolve this, I work diligently with parents and their kids to inform them of their rights and how I can strategize to protect them. I am proud to say that many of the children I have represented have gone on to become productive citizens.

My responsibilities as a Salt Lake City juvenile crimes attorney include looking out for your child’s best interests from start to finish. As such, I am fully committed to developing the right strategies and utilizing effective legal resources to ensure your child is in the optimal position to succeed. When their future is on the line, you can trust that I will waste no time championing your child’s freedom.

Understanding Common Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases a Criminal Attorney Can Help With

The juvenile justice system places an emphasis on providing opportunities for rehabilitation instead of punishment. A skilled juvenile criminal attorney from our firm can defend clients against a variety of criminal cases, ranging from juvenile assault to college student crimes.

College Student Crimes

Being a college student can be particularly challenging in the United States, as students are suddenly sent off to live on their own and must, therefore, balance domestic, social, and personal development demands at the same time. This can lead to various mistakes, which can escalate to criminal charges. If these charges turn to convictions, a college student’s life can be negatively impacted in the long term.

Common college student crimes that the skilled juvenile criminal lawyer team at Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, has successfully defended against include drug possession crimes, alcohol violations, vandalism, and assault. Whether your child has gotten into an altercation on or near campus or has been accused of possessing a controlled substance, our dedicated legal team is ready to fight for your child’s future.

A juvenile attorney from our team can work to get your charges dismissed or work towards alternative sentencing opportunities, such as rehabilitation programs or community service. Depending on your situation, we can also assist with navigating academic disciplinary systems, working to protect your child’s academic status.

Juvenile Assault

Charges for juvenile assault can arise after instances such as altercations in the schoolyard, incidents of bullying, and fights at parties, especially with people who are under the influence. Depending on the seriousness of the incident, assault charges may range from simple assault to aggravated assault, with subsequent penalties varying as well.

An experienced attorney from our firm can leverage various criminal defense tactics depending on the details of your or your child’s case. For example, if minors were fighting to protect themselves or another person, they may be able to argue in self-defense. Furthermore, if the incident was an accident, they can work to gather and present evidence that shows a lack of intent to commit the crime.

If the evidence is overwhelmingly stacked against the defendant, an empathetic attorney can work for a reduction of crime classification or work to have the child assigned to a diversion program that focuses on conflict resolution skills and anger management, as opposed to any form of incarceration.

Juvenile Delinquency

Juvenile delinquency can include a wide variety of crimes, such as violation of curfew, property crimes, truancy, or minor drug possession. When it comes to juvenile delinquency cases, the juvenile judicial system typically sees these cases as being the result of a behavioral challenge as opposed to a criminal issue and commonly handles these situations through rehabilitative sentencing.

A skilled juvenile criminal attorney from Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, can fiercely advocate on the minor’s behalf to have them placed in a rehabilitation or diversion program as opposed to detention. They can proactively communicate with the court to ensure that they are prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment. They may negotiate for various rehabilitation outcomes, such as community service, counseling, probation, and other programs.

Juvenile Sex Crimes

Cases involving juvenile sex crimes tend to be very sensitive, necessitating an attorney who has demonstrated experience positively navigating these cases on behalf of defendants and their parents. Juvenile sex crimes can include indecent exposure, child pornography crimes, and sexual assault. The criminal penalties for juvenile sex crimes can be especially severe, with offenders sometimes having to register as sex offenders.

As being convicted of a juvenile sex crime can have a long-term negative impact on employment, housing, and educational opportunities moving into the child’s future, it is crucial to mount a strong defense on their behalf. A skilled attorney from our firm can call into question the sufficiency and accuracy of the evidence brought forward by the prosecution, as well as question the validity of witness credibility.

An experienced lawyer from our firm can also leverage common defense strategies for juvenile sex crime cases, such as arguing a misunderstanding or a lack of intent. Our team of juvenile criminal defense lawyers can advocate fiercely to avoid the need for mandatory registration by working to get alternative sentencing measures assigned. Alternative sentencing options include those that focus on rehabilitation, such as therapy or counseling.

Juvenile Theft Crimes

Common juvenile theft crimes seen at Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, include motor vehicle theft, burglary, shoplifting, and larceny. Minors can be charged for small misdemeanor crimes, such as shoplifting a smaller value of goods, or more severe crimes, such as grand theft auto. Depending on the specific theft crimes you are facing and the details of your case, a skilled juvenile criminal attorney can work with you to develop a strong defense strategy.

For theft cases, a lawyer from our firm may work to negotiate for a diversion program or deferred adjudication. These options can give minors the opportunity to avoid having criminal records if they follow through with the given requirements, such as theft prevention classes and community service. Criminal defense strategies, such as arguing for mistaken ownership or lack of intent, can also be argued in court, depending on the case.

Sexting

Sexting cases involve sending images, videos, or texts that are sexually explicit through a mobile device. As sexting has become more common, many young people are unfortunately not aware of the legal risks that come with such activity. If the image involves minors or people under the age of consent, sexting can result in child pornography-related charges. These severe charges come with significant social and legal consequences.

An experienced juvenile criminal attorney from Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, can advocate fiercely on behalf of the defendant, working to show that they did not have the intent to engage in criminal activity. They can work closely with the courts to strive for education-based interventions as opposed to criminal penalties that could significantly impact them for the rest of their life.

Underage Drinking

One of the most common juvenile offenses involves underage drinking cases, which usually happen at social events or parties. If caught drinking while underage, a minor could be facing charges for possession, consumption, or purchase of alcohol. Minors found driving under the influence can also face enhanced penalties for such crimes due to their age, including hefty fines and suspension of driver’s licenses.

A skilled juvenile criminal lawyer from our firm can work to have the minor assigned community service or diversion programs as opposed to jail time, working to avoid them having a permanent criminal record. For DUI crimes, a lawyer may argue that the breathalyzer tests were not accurate or that constitutional rights were violated during the traffic stop or arrest procedures.

How a Salt Lake City Juvenile Criminal Attorney Can Support Your Case

The stakes are extremely high when a minor is facing criminal charges, as juvenile cases can have long-term impacts that can affect the young person’s education and employment opportunities moving far into the future. Therefore, it is crucial to work with a Salt Lake City juvenile criminal attorney who can work to protect minors’ rights and help them navigate Utah’s juvenile justice system.

An experienced attorney from our firm can support your juvenile case from start to finish.

Clear Communication and Collaboration Starting From an Initial Consultation

The juvenile justice system is a completely different world than the adult justice system, with different goals and required processes. An experienced attorney from our firm can help you understand this unique juvenile justice system by informing you and your family about the various steps involved, as well as your legal options and potential case outcomes.

They can help you understand each part of the process, from detention hearings to adjudication, helping clear up some of the confusion that commonly arises in juvenile cases. By clearly stating the potential penalties and helping families understand them, your attorney can help you make informed decisions about the legal strategy you would like to pursue.

Creation of a Robust Defense Strategy

A juvenile criminal attorney from Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, can review all the details of your case to build up a specific defense strategy that matches your situation. They can fight to get your charges or penalties reduced or even have the case entirely dismissed. From the beginning, they can analyze evidence brought forward by the prosecution to determine whether there are weaknesses in the argument and attempt to get the evidence suppressed.

Furthermore, for many juvenile cases, lack of intent is a strong defense strategy. If the minor in the case committed a crime, such as shoplifting, and did not mean to do so, this can be argued in court. If the case involved assault or related crimes, a self-defense criminal defense argument may be feasible for the situation.

Strides Towards Alternative Sentencing and Diversion Programs

An attorney from our firm can craft the legal strategy that advocates fiercely for diversion programs or alternative sentencing opportunities, as these options can help a young person avoid having a crime on their record while receiving the benefits of counseling, education, or community service experience. Depending on the type of crime committed, an attorney from our firm can advocate for a relevant diversion program, such as a substance abuse program.

In some cases, deferred adjudication may be relevant. This allows the courts to defer their judgments while giving the young person the opportunity to fulfill specific requirements, such as probation or community service, ultimately avoiding conviction. If mental health treatment or counseling could be relevant to a minor’s case, an attorney from our firm can fiercely advocate for them to receive this instead of being sent to detention.

Negotiation of Reduction of Charges

If the evidence is stacked against the young person, it may be ideal for a lawyer to carry out negotiations with prosecutors to get charges reduced. This strategy can reduce potential penalties for the crime and minimize the long-term consequences. If the charges involve a first-time offense or an offense that is less severe, negotiation for reduction of charges may be a more feasible option.

Through plea bargains, an experienced attorney from our firm can work closely with the prosecutor to get charges reduced or penalties minimized in exchange for the young person pleading guilty. In some cases, a felony charge could be reduced to a misdemeanor. In other cases, the attorney could reach a deal in which the records of the young person may be sealed or their crime expunged after they have completed their sentence.

Representation in Court

If the case goes to trial, a juvenile criminal attorney from Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, can fiercely represent the young person’s case, calling into question arguments and evidence brought forward by the prosecution. By cross-examining witnesses, they can expose any biases or inaccuracies that may undermine the prosecution’s case. Additionally, they can present strong evidence and persuasive legal arguments to communicate the defense’s perspective.

Defend Your Child’s Future and Freedom With a Juvenile Criminal Attorney in Salt Lake City

If your child is facing criminal charges In Salt Lake City or surrounding areas, it is crucial to work with an experienced juvenile criminal attorney who can defend their rights and interests. The dedicated legal team at Catherine Cleveland, Attorney At Law, is ready to gather evidence and build a strong case on your child’s behalf, working to prove their innocence or, if necessary, achieve minimal, rehabilitative sentencing.

Schedule your free phone consultation with me online or by calling (801) 448-0683!