By H. Michael Steinberg is both an experienced and a dedicated Colorado Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney
As a former Senior – Career Arapahoe – Douglas County District Attorney -in his13 years (1984 – 1997) years as a prosecutor – H. Michael was assigned to the prosecution of hundreds of juvenile prosecutions. As a Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer for the last 16 years (1997 – 2013) – he has successfully handled hundreds more juvenile cases.
Juvenile criminal defense lawyers must be specialized in this area and must have specialized training and experience to be effective on behalf of their clients… essentially just children. Because Juvenile Court is different than adult court – an experienced lawyer in adult may be incompetent to practice in juvenile court.
Where your child’s freedom and future is at stake…go with experience every time.
Here is the statute referenced in the Article That Linked you to this page:
(1) The district attorney may request of the court at any time, either before, during, or after the filing of a petition, that the matter be handled as an informal adjustment if:
(a) The juvenile and his or her parents, guardian, or legal custodian have been informed of their constitutional and legal rights, including the right to have counsel at every stage of the proceedings;
(b) There are sufficient facts to establish the jurisdiction of the court; and
(c) The juvenile and his or her parents, guardian, or legal custodian have waived the right to a speedy trial.
(2) An informal adjustment shall be for an initial period of no longer than six months. One additional extension of up to six months may be ordered by the court upon showing of good cause.
(3) During any informal adjustment, the court may place the juvenile under the supervision of the probation department or other designated agency. The court may require further conditions of conduct, as requested by the district attorney, probation department, or designated agency.
(4) No juvenile shall be granted an informal adjustment if such juvenile has been adjudicated a juvenile delinquent within the preceding twelve months, has had a prior deferred adjudication, or has had an informal adjustment granted within the preceding twelve months.