The juvenile criminal defense attorneys at Kope & Associates defend young people charged with felonies and misdemeanors. Because the juvenile justice system does not convict children of crimes, but rather classifies juveniles as "delinquent", it is critical for the future of the child that any charges remain in the juvenile system.
The attorneys at Kope & Associates have seen the unfortunate result of having children certified as "adults", tried in the "adult" criminal justice system, sentenced, and often turned into career criminals. So, their attorneys work hard to make sure this does not happen to young clients at Kope & Associates. If your child has been accused of a crime, contact a caring and skilled juvenile crimes lawyer at Kope & Associates immediately.
Children are capable of committing most "adult" crimes, including aggravated assault, sex offenses, and weapons and drug crimes. When children are charged as adults, the aggressive attorneys at Kope & Associates work diligently to have them "decertified." Decertification is the process in which counsel petitions the court to have a child initially charged as an adult “moved” to the juvenile system. Children found to be delinquent face various types of rehabilitation. The goal of the juvenile justice system is not to punish, but to help children grow into fully functional adults.
The defense attorneys at Kope & Associates focus on the long term best interests of juveniles accused of crimes. If available, they will attempt to secure a consent decree, which will clear the child’s records once certain requirements are met. In some cases, they work to convince school boards and administrators to allow a child to remain in school and continue his or her education. Other possibilities for juvenile offenders may include out of home placement, probation, community service, or restrictions on after-school activities.
Sometimes the worst part of having a child accused of criminal behavior takes place at the Gang station, rather than in juvenile court. It is critical to make sure the laws protecting children are not violated. In representing your child after an arrest, the experienced attorneys at Kope & Associates make sure that conditions for holding your child are met, that secure detention limits are not exceeded, and that the child is presented to the court within the time required by law. They work to keep juvenile records sealed, and, when possible, expunged.
Contact
If your child has been charged with a crime in Harrisburg, York, or surrounding areas of Pennsylvania, please contact Kope and Associates as soon as possible for a free consultation. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.