Before deciding to engage just any criminal defense attorney to handle your child's juvenile criminal case, you as the parent must understand that there are many differences between the juvenile justice system and the adult justice system. The two most significant differences are that juveniles are not allowed to be released on bail and they are not entitled to a trial by jury. In Juvenile Court a Judge or Commissioner is the sole person to determine the guilt or innocence of your child. With the many differences between adult and juvenile criminal cases you need to hire a knowledgeable and experienced juvenile defense attorney.

At LibertyBell Law Group, Jack J. Gold a retired Juvenile Court Commissioner of 26 years heads our team of aggressive and accomplished juvenile crime attorneys. Commissioner Gold has presided over thousands of cases including drug sales; drug possession; transportation of narcotics; Gang related crimes; rape; sodomy and murder. Mr. Gold possesses an extraordinary insight into the juvenile justice system and is intimately familiar with the strategies that result in the best outcome for your child. LibertyBell Law Group's team of juvenile crime attorneys are intimately familiar with the inner workings of the Juvenile Justice System and will provide your child with the best defense possible with the ultimate goal of getting your child into a rehabilitation program instead of placement in juvenile hall, juvenile camp, the Youth Authority, or in certain instances Adult Court.

In this day and age, the law has become much tougher in prosecuting juveniles for their alleged crimes than ever before. Additionally, Judges and Commissioners are feeling the public pressure to become tougher in their handling of Juvenile offenses which can range from serious crimes such as aggravated assault, burglary, robbery, rape and murder to other offenses for which juveniles are specifically targeted including simple assault; vandalism; weapons law violations; drug abuse violations; driving under the influence; liquor law violations; drunkenness; disorderly conduct; curfew violations; loitering and even running away. At an earlier time, the objective with juvenile offenders was rehabilitation and to try and keep the Juvenile offender at home under their parents' supervision. Removal from the home was an option of last resort reserved for serious violent offenses.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED. With drug cartels, increased gang activity, a rise in the reporting of sexual activity as a crime and with more juveniles being accused of violent crimes, lawmakers throughout the country have been under pressure to take juvenile offenses more seriously and to punish them more harshly. For example, in California Proposition 21 allows the District Attorney to file certain cases directly in Adult Court (this can be a disaster or a blessing, depending on the circumstances). In fact, the common practice is for the District Attorney to file a fitness hearing as a matter of routine for particular charges. A fitness hearing is a request made to the Juvenile Court to have your son or daughter removed from the Juvenile Court into Adult Court where they may risk being sent to prison to do adult time with adult inmates. Additionally, crimes that were once charged as misdemeanors such as vandalism, petty theft, and shoplifting are now being charged as felonies.

You, the parent, need an expert in this field. You need an experienced and accomplished juvenile criminal defense attorney who understands the juvenile justice system and an attorney that will become thoroughly familiar with your case, your family and your child. As a parent you should only hire an accomplished and successful juvenile defense attorney who will be able to assess the particular facts of your child's case and to define the best strategic defense plan in working toward a resolution to your child's matter.

At LibertyBell Law Group, we have assembled a top-notch team of expert juvenile criminal defense attorneys lead by a retired Juvenile Court Commissioner. LibertyBell Law Group's aggressive juvenile crime attorneys will analyze all the facts of your child's juvenile criminal case and become meticulously familiar with your child and with your family dynamics in order to assist you and the court in obtaining the most favorable outcome for your child.

Remember, the final outcome of a juvenile case can follow your youngster into adulthood and can hamper his future education and employment plans. That is why you need LibertyBell Law Group's expert juvenile law defenders to intelligently and aggressively protect your family, your child and their future!

Call now to speak to one of LibertyBell Law Group's national team of top trial lawyers with specific experience handling Juvenile Matters. We also have Appellate Attorneys with specific experience working on juvenile appeals cases. Your first consultation with one of our specialists is free.