No mother or father is prepared to learn that their son or daughter is charged with committing a crime. The initial shock and distress to a parent of an arrest gives way to the realization that they have to arrange for someone to defend their child against the criminal charges leveled against them.
As a parent, you want the services of an attorney who is familiar with the juvenile court system and has substantial experience in juvenile cases. Not every defense attorney is sufficiently qualified in this area of practice. You don’t want to leave your child’s fate and freedom to someone without the unique legal background required for juvenile court cases.
You may find yourself one day in need of an attorney who specializes in juvenile defense law in Anne Arundel County to assist your son or daughter’s defense. Here are some things to consider before hiring one.
Knowledge Counts
The Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County is the venue that hears juvenile cases involving any defendant under the age of 18. Juvenile cases are prosecuted by a specialized unit of the Maryland state’s attorney’s office.
Your choice of an attorney should be someone who is familiar with the local prosecutors and with the circuit court judges they may find themselves appearing before. The attorney should be knowledgeable with the process of initial processing of the case, assignments, scheduling, and postponements that could give the attorney an advantage in the defense of your child.
Look for Experience
Your choice of a juvenile defense law attorney in Anne Arundel County should have experience in defending clients who’ve been charged with offenses similar to the one your child faces. The attorney’s experience is helpful when it comes to working on a pretrial defense strategy for your child. You would want to know the lawyer’s record in the courtroom in juvenile cases, in particular, their record with charges similar to the ones your child is charged with. An attorney who has worked extensively with juvenile cases is a better choice than the first lawyer to make a pitch for your services.
On the Level
Once you decide upon a juvenile defense lawyer to represent your child, the next step is the consultation. This is when the attorney would tell you and your son or daughter what they can expect from the legal proceeding, what your child’s rights are as a juvenile defendant, and how they plan to work for your child.
You want the attorney to give you and your child an honest assessment of the charges and the possible outcomes if the case doesn’t go their way. It is best not to settle on an attorney who will tell you only what you want to hear. They should be honest about the chances your underage child has before a judge and prosecutor. The more straightforward your attorney is with you in your consultation, the better.
The right attorney could make a significant difference when it comes to protecting the legal rights of your minor child, so you should make an effort to hire one that has experience and knowledge of juvenile law. Your attorney should also have a strong familiarity of the Anne Arundel County court system. If your underage son or daughter is facing juvenile court prosecution and you want the best possible outcome as a parent, it is important for you to ask questions and do your background research when hiring the services of an attorney in juvenile defense law in Anne Arundel County.
If you’re in need of a juvenile defense attorney, look no further than Ortega Law, LLC.