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- Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage
- Colorado Juvenile Law – When Your Child Is Arrested – What To Do – A Guide For Parents
- Colorado Criminal Law – A Guide To Police Body Cameras In Colorado Criminal Cases
- Why You Should Retain A Local Colorado Criminal Defense Lawyer
- A Denver Colorado Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Explains the Two Kinds Of “Juvi” Jail
- Articles On Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Dorm Room Searches – Can University Police Search My Dorm Room?
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Juveniles Denied The Right To Jury Trial In Most Cases – 19-2-107
- If Your Child Is Arrested In A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Case – Some Tips For Parents From A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer
- Is My Child Just Bad – Or Does He Have A Conduct Disorder – Defenses & Sentencing In Colorado Juvenile Law Cases
- Colorado Juvenile Drug Crimes Defense – Fighting The Urge To Answer Police Questions – Those Are Not My Drugs
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Juveniles With Mental Health Issues – Important Issues To Understand
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – I Am Now An Adult – How Can I Be Prosecuted in Juvenile Court?
- Avoiding Colorado Criminal Convictions – The Impact Of A Criminal History On College Applications
- Colorado Criminal Law – The Fraudulent Use Of Fake Or Phony ID’s By Underage Kids – What’s The Law?
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Law – Why Children In Colorado Juvenile Court Should Be Unshackled – Unchained
- Colorado Juvenile Law – Lowest Age Before You Can Be Charged In Juvenile Court
- Colorado Criminal Law – Can The Police Detain Me While A Search Warrant Is Executed?
- Your Daughter Has Been Arrested – What Is The Impact On Her? – Colorado Juvenile Law
- Colorado Criminal Juvenile Law – Why Using Facebook Can Be A Very Dangerous Thing To Do
- In Colorado – Can The Police Question My Child Without My Permission?
- 2016 Update – Questioning Juveniles In Colorado Criminal Investigations – Miranda Rights
- A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Lawyer Often Represents “At Risk” Kids
- Kids, Guns, And Colorado Juvenile Law – A Dangerous Combination Section 18-12-108.5
- Colorado Criminal Law – Did My Child Just Confess At The School?
- Colorado Criminal Law – Understanding Searches Of Juveniles In Schools
- Understanding Colorado Minor In Possession (MIP) Cases – C.R.S. 18-13-122 – Colorado Juvenile Criminal Lawyer Series
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process Flowchart – ONE
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process Flowchart – TWO
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Arrest – Summons
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Detention Hearing And The Screening Function
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Pretrial Process
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Filing Decision
- The Filing Of Charges Decision In Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – The Charging Decision – Plea Bargaining Part I of II
- The Filing Of Charges Decision In Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – How Is The Case To Be Charged – Plea Bargaining Part II of II
- Colorado Juvenile Diversion Programs 19-1- 103(44) – An Important Warning – Speedy Trial – Statute of Limitations 6-5-401(1)(a)
- Colorado Juvenile Sentencing Part 2 – The Direct File Juvenile Offender Law
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Adjudication Process
- Colorado Juvenile Law – The Right To A Speedier Speedy Trial 19-2-108 CRS
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Trials – A Look At How They Work
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Cases – Why Plea Bargaining In Juvenile Criminal Cases Is Different
- Colorado Juvenile Law – When IS There A Right To A Jury Trial? – C.R.S. 19- 2-107
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Pre-sentence Investigation
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Sentencing Decision
- The Colorado Juvenile Criminal Sentencing Hearing – Part I of III
- The Colorado Juvenile Criminal Sentencing Hearing – Part II of III
- The Colorado Juvenile Criminal Sentencing Hearing – Part III of III
- Understanding Colorado House Arrest – Home Detention Technology and Procedures
- A Denver Colorado Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Explains the Two Kinds Of “Juvi” Jail – DYC and YOS
- Understanding Colorado Juvenile Sentencing Part 1 – The Aggravated Juvenile Offender Law – § 19-2-601
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – Post Conviction Issues
- Colorado Juvenile Law Statutes
- Sentencing Schedule – Options 19-2-907
- Colorado Juvenile Detention Screening Laws – C.R.S. 19-1-103(94.5), 19-2-212, 19-2-507(2),
- The Staff-Secure Facility C.R.S. 19-1-103, (101.5)
- Detention (JAIL) C.R.S. 19-2-507
- Issuance of a Lawful Warrant Taking a Juvenile into Custody – 19-2-503
- Release With Services C.R.S. 19-2-302
- Release to Parents or Guardian – C.R.S. 19-2-507(3)
- The Temporary Holding Facility C.R.S. 19-2-507(1)
- Aggravated Juvenile Offender 19-2-601
- Summons – Issuance – Contents – Service 19-2-514.
- Petition Form and Content 19-2-513
- Contempt – Warrant 19-2-515
- Petition Initiation 19-2-512
- Informal Adjustment 19-2-703
- Juvenile Diversion Program – Authorized 19-2-303 and Diversion 19-2-704
- Deferral of Adjudication 19-2-709
- Juvenile Speedy trial – Procedural Schedule 19-2-108
- Evidentiary Considerations 19-2-802
- Admissibility Of Evidence At Juvenile Trials 19-2-803
- Procedures at Juvenile Trials 19-2-804
- Presentence Investigation 19-2-905
- Sentencing – Special Offenders – 19-2-908
- Sentencing – Persons Eighteen Years of Age or Older – County Jail – Community Corrections 19-2-910.
- Sentencing – Alternative Services – Detention 19-2-911
- Sentencing – Placement With Relative 19-2-912
- Sentencing – Probation – Supervised Work Program 19-2-913
- Sentencing – Community Accountability Program 19-2-914
- Sentencing – Legal Custody – Social Services 19-2-915
- Sentencing – Placement Based on Special Needs of the Juvenile 19-2-916
- Sentencing – Fines 19-2-917
- Sentencing – Restitution by Juvenile 19-2-918
- Sentencing – Requirements Imposed on Parents 19-2-919
- Out-of-home Placement – Runaways – Duty to Notify 19-2-920
- Commitment to Department of Human Services 19-2-921
- Juveniles Committed to Department of Human Services – Evaluation and Placement 19-2-922
- Juveniles Committed to Department of Human Services – Transfers 19-2-923
- Juveniles Committed to Department of Human Services – Emergency Release 19-2-924
- Probation – Terms – Release – Revocation 19-2-925
- Juvenile Probation Officers – Powers and Duties 19-2-926
- Sentencing – Commitment to the Department of Human Services 19-2-909
- Sentencing – Animal Cruelty – Anger Management Treatment 19-2-918.5
- Juvenile Parole 19-2-1002
- Juvenile Community Review Board 19-2-210
- Parole Violation and Revocation 19- 2-1004
- Colorado Criminal Law – Under 18-12-105 – How Concealed Does A Concealed Weapon Have To Be?
- Birdseye Statutory View – Colorado Juvenile Criminal System
- Juvenile Crime Inform. Resources
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Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage
By H. Michael Steinberg – Colorado Criminal Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyer – Attorney – Email The Author
Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage – Early intervention in a Colorado juvenile criminal case makes sense from many perspectives. The kind of fears generated in the minds of parents by an “investigation” of your child by the police or social services can literally impact your mental health at severla levels.
How You Know Your Child Is In Trouble – Entry Of The Colorado Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer
The method a Colorado Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer (LINK) becomes involved in your child’s case is:
1. The lawyer receives a phone call from a parent or other relative of the child, – the child was just arrested and is presently on the way to the police station or is already at the police HQ.
2. The lawyer is actually contacted by the child him or herself, the child’s parent or other relative after the arrest, but prior to the booking or intake process and has the chance to represent the child during intake.
3. The lawyer receives a phone call from a client who is “under investigation” or “wanted” by the police for a crime – but has not yet been arrested.
4. The lawyer is retained by the family for other reasons including the child is already in the court system and the parents have become overwhelmed by the system or the child has “run” failed to appear for a court hearing, or has even escaped from a juvenile detention facility.
The specific steps that a lawyer must take in each situation to protect his or her client’s rights are as different as the scenarios themselves.
When A Colorado Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer Enters The Case – The Need to Move Quickly
In each of the scenarios described above – the lawyer needs to move quickly and intelligently. Delaying – for example – if the child is already being interrogated at the child’s school, o the street or at the police station – can result in the child’s “succumbing” to police pressure and actually confessing toa serious crime before the lawyer can reach the station and prevent the confession.
In every scenario – preparation and research of the individual case is critical and should be as thorough as practicable
Hire A LOCAL Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer Who Is Familiar With The LOCAL Courts
No only must the lawyer know the case and the client – the lawyer must be aware of the local court’s practices, who the District Attorney’s are, and which of the police departments can be trusted and which cannot. Understanding local procedures, practices and functionaries may mean the difference between a wise choice and a foolish one.
Obviously there is a “trade-off” between time-consuming preparation and the tactical advantage of getting a quick start – to prevent the juvenile’s interests from being irreparably damaged by fast-breaking events.
If The Police Are About To Make An Arrest – Or An Arrest Warrant Has Issued – What Are The Important Steps To Take if a Client Is Wanted by the Police
Unfortunately most criminal defense lawyers are not retained until the child is in court at the initial Detention Hearing.
If a juvenile’s parent can afford to retain counsel, the parent and client should definitely retain a Colorado criminal defene lawyer PRIOR to the advisement hearing.
The ARREST of A Juvenile – Taking The Child Into Custody
The arrest of a child – the taking of the child into custody- is similar to that of the arrest of adult criminal defendants.
The arrest is either:
1. Pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by a judge or magistrate on the basis of an affidavit establishing probable cause to believe that the child committed a delinquent offense; or
2. Without a warrant, on the officer’s own determination that s/he possesses facts making out probable cause to believe that an offense was committed and that this particular juvenile is the perpetrator (or aider and abettor in the perpetration) of the offense.
The majority of cases do not involve arrest warrants – the vast majority of juveniles are arrested at or near the scene of a crime shortly after its commission, or they receive a summons in the mail setting a court date for a formal advisement of the charges.
Police Practices Following Arrest – The Colorado Juvenile Detention Center
If there is an arrest, the alleged “delinquent child” is generally taken immediately to the police station or to the local detention center.
Colorado Juvenile Detention Centers
Some Issues To Help You Make This Important Decision
Whether the arresting officer involved is a juvenile case agent or just an ordinary patrol officer, the decision on whether to question the child is made and notification of the parents – if there is going to be questioning of the child while the child is “in custody” is required under Colorado law.
The purposes of the interrogation always remains the same:
1. To obtain the juvenile’s admission or confession to the offense for which s/he was arrested,
2. To obtain the juvenile’s implication of other persons involved in the offense, and
3. To obtain the juvenile’s admission or confession of other “uncleared” or “open” offenses that s/he may have committed.
Line or Show-Ups
The juvenile may be subjected to other “investigative procedures” before or immediately after booking such as a lineup or show-up.
Re-enactments Of The Crime
The officer may take the juvenile back to the “scene of the crime” to “reenact” or demonstrate what happened.
Searches For Other Evidence
The child may also just be taken home or elsewhere to assist the police in finding critical evidence in the case such as secreted or discarded weapons, loot, or other evidence related to the investigation and there may be a request by the police to permit or “consent” to a warrantless search… which cannot occur without a search warrant.
Seizing CSI Evidence
The police may attempt to obtain specimens of the juvenile’s hair or blood, swabs, washes, or body scrapings may be taken for laboratory analysis.
Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage
Each of these police procedures listed above may develop incriminating evidence against your son or daughter. A lawyer can insert themselves between the police and your child. What is the value of that defenses – well it may stop your child from being subjected to at least some if not all of these procedures and may prevent others from ever occurring.
Rights can be waived — and they often are waived unless counsel takes adequate steps to insure their protection.
Police Exercise of Discretion Whether to Charge the Respondent
Colorado police have broad discretion to “divert” juvenile cases from the system by simply dropping the charges with a warning or, in some jurisdictions, by referring the child to a local social services agency or – by working with the DA – prevent the case from ever coming to court.
The “informal diversion programs” are offered or rejected as solutions based on several factors such as:
1. the seriousness of the offense.
2. the age of the child.
3. the child’s prior record of convictions, charges, and prior contacts with the police.
4. the demeanor of the child (kids who seem respectful to the officers and fearful of sanctions viewed as “salvageable” and therefore may actually be diverted from the system).
5. the comments and attitude of the parents upon being informed of the child’s arrest (with the officer assessing whether the parents are likely to appropriately punish the child and control his or her misbehavior in the future).
6. the individual officer’s personal feelings about the juvenile justice system and the likelihood that a minor offender will derive any benefits from court intervention.
Sometimes the police departments will only record a record call a “contact card” with reference to dropped or diverted cases and these records are often consulted when the police make the decision to file or not file on a newly arrested child.
Good luck – call my firm if you need guidance.. H. Michael Steinberg
Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – A Denver Colorado Juvenile Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-220-2277.
If you are charged with A Colorado crime or you have questions about Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage, please call our office. The Law Offices of H. Michael Steinberg, in Denver, Colorado, provide criminal defense clients with effective, efficient, intelligent and strong legal advocacy. We can educate you and help you navigate the stressful and complex legal process related to your criminal defense issue.
H. Michael Steinberg, is a Denver, Colorado criminal defense lawyer with over 40 years of day to day courtroom experience – specializing in Colorado Criminal Law along the Front Range. He will provide you with a free initial case consultation to evaluate your legal issues and to answer your questions with an honest assessment of your options. Remember, it costs NOTHING to discuss your case. Call now for an immediate free phone consultation.
Helping Clients To Make Informed Decisions In the Defense of Colorado Criminal Cases.
Contact A Lawyer with Three Decades of Experience as a Denver Criminal Attorney at The Steinberg Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm Today.
Colorado Defense Lawyer H. Michael Steinberg provides solid criminal defense for clients throughout the Front Range of Colorado – including the City and County courts of Adams County, Arapahoe County, City and County of Boulder, City and County of Broomfield, City and County of Denver, Douglas County, El Paso County – Colorado Springs, Gilpin County, Jefferson County, Larimer County, and Weld County,…. and all the other cities and counties of Colorado along the I-25 Corridor… on cases involving … Why You Should Hire A Lawyer In A Juvenile Criminal Case At The Investigation Stage.
Other Articles of Interest:
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Adjudication Process
- Colorado Juvenile Criminal Process – The Pre-sentence Investigation
- The Colorado Juvenile Pre-Sentence Investigation
- Presentence Investigation 19-2-905
- Birdseye Statutory View – Colorado Juvenile Criminal System
