Las Vegas Juvenile Crime Attorney

Was Your Child Arrested? Our Firm Can Help.

If your son or daughter is facing charges for a juvenile crime in the Las Vegas area, it is highly recommended that you consult with a juvenile defense lawyer at the Brown Law Offices as soon as possible. Attorney Brown has extensive experience in handling all types of juvenile delinquency cases.

He has been involved as lead counsel in thousands of juvenile delinquency cases during his career. He is extremely familiar with the Juvenile Justice System and has also handled hundreds of Juvenile Certification hearings, from charging decisions through to final disposition in juvenile or adult courts.

If your child has been accused of criminal behavior, he or she may be facing some serious penalties, including detention in the Clark County Juvenile Hall or even commitment to a juvenile correctional facility such as Elko or Caliente.

In Nevada, some juvenile offenses may stay on your child's permanent record until they reach thirty years of age. As a result, a conviction could negatively impact future employment, career, or educational opportunities.

In very serious cases, where a minor has committed a violent crime or has engaged in repeated delinquent conduct, he or she may be certified as an adult, which would result in them being tried in an adult court.

The Juvenile Certification Process

If a juvenile is involved in a serious offense, he or she may be tried as an adult in a criminal proceeding after being "certified" as an adult by the State. This certification process is initiated by a motion made to the court by the prosecutor requesting that the juvenile be transferred to adult court.

After the prosecutor files a motion to have a juvenile certified as an adult, a full investigation into the matter is conducted by the court. After this investigation, a Certification hearing is held by the court to determine whether the child should be held to answer the charges as an adult or as a juvenile.

When Can a Juvenile Be Certified as an Adult in Nevada?

Only juveniles over the age of 13 may be certified as adults. Mandatory certification must be determined by a judge in cases where the juvenile was 16 or older and is charged with sexual assault or a crime involving a firearm. Judges have discretionary power over certifying minors who are 14 or older and charged with a crime that would be a felony if committed by an adult.

If your son or daughter is facing this situation, you will need a capable juvenile attorney in Las Vegas overseeing your child's case. We strongly advise you to contact the Brown Law Offices to set up a consultation as soon as possible. Attorney Brown has extensive experience with juvenile certifications. He can present an effective argument on your child's behalf against certification as an adult.