Court information
Hennepin County District Court – Criminal and Traffic Division
300 South 6th Street, C-11, Minneapolis, MN 55487
(612) 348-6000
Visit the official court website →Plymouth Juvenile Defense Lawyer
Defense for juvenile crimes matters in Plymouth and Hennepin County.
Local criminal defense
Juvenile Crimes Defense in Plymouth, Minnesota
Plymouth cases often involve busy professionals and families looking to resolve matters efficiently and protect their records. Early legal guidance can help reduce disruption and avoid long-term consequences.
Most allegations against children are handled in Minnesota juvenile court, where the terminology and goals differ from adult criminal court. But serious cases can involve detention, probation, out-of-home placement, Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile prosecution, or a request to certify a child for adult prosecution. Andrew Davis helps families understand which path the case is on, protects the child's rights, reviews the evidence, and keeps the long-term impact in view.
Read the complete Minnesota Juvenile Crimes guide →Verified local information
Plymouth Court and Local Resources
Plymouth is located in Hennepin County and served by the Minnesota Fourth Judicial District. Confirm the location listed on your court notice before appearing, because Hennepin County criminal matters may be assigned to different court facilities.
Local agency
Plymouth Police Department
3400 Plymouth Boulevard, Plymouth, MN 55447
(763) 509-5160
Visit the official agency website →- Minnesota Fourth Judicial District
Official court information for Hennepin County, including court programs, policies, and contacts.
- Hennepin County Attorney’s Office
Official information and resources from the prosecutor’s office serving Hennepin County.
- Plymouth Police Reports
Official City of Plymouth information about requesting police reports and records.
Minnesota law and defense
Understanding Juvenile Crimes in Plymouth
Minnesota criminal law applies statewide, but the court process, local agency records, and practical details of a case depend on where it is filed. The information below explains important issues Andrew reviews when defending juvenile crimes cases.
Juvenile Charges Are Different — and So Is the Process
Minnesota delinquency court has its own rules and terminology. A child may be alleged delinquent rather than charged and convicted in the same way as an adult, and the court has a broad range of dispositions focused in part on rehabilitation and public safety. Serious felony cases can follow additional paths, including Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile prosecution or adult certification. Andrew explains the specific procedure rather than treating every juvenile case as a smaller version of adult court.
Common Juvenile Offenses We Handle
Juvenile cases can involve conduct ranging from school or property incidents to serious felony allegations. Examples include:
- Theft, shoplifting, and property offenses
- Property damage and vandalism
- Alcohol, cannabis, and controlled-substance allegations
- School-related fights, threats, and weapons allegations
- Disorderly conduct and other public-order offenses
- Traffic and impaired-driving allegations
- Assault and domestic-related allegations
- Firearm and weapons offenses
- Sex-offense allegations
- Other misdemeanor, gross-misdemeanor, or felony-level delinquency allegations
How the Juvenile Court Process Works
The path depends on the allegation, age, custody status, and whether the prosecutor seeks EJJ or adult certification. A typical delinquency case may involve:
- Petition or Citation The case may begin with a delinquency petition or citation alleging conduct that would be criminal if committed by an adult.
- Custody and Detention If the child is held, court rules require prompt judicial review of detention and release conditions.
- First Appearance / Arraignment The court advises the child of the allegations and rights, and the case can proceed based on an admission or denial.
- Pretrial and Motion Practice Counsel can obtain discovery, litigate legal issues, challenge evidence, and discuss diversion or negotiated outcomes when available.
- Trial Ordinary delinquency trials are generally to the court, while an Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile prosecution carries a right to a jury trial.
- Disposition If allegations are admitted or proved, the court chooses a juvenile disposition based on the offense, the child's circumstances, public safety, and available rehabilitative options.
Common questions
Plymouth Juvenile Crimes FAQ
What is considered a juvenile case in Minnesota?
In Minnesota, a juvenile case generally involves a person under 18 who is accused of conduct that would be a crime if committed by an adult. These cases are handled in juvenile court, which is a separate system focused on accountability and rehabilitation rather than pure punishment.
Can my child be tried as an adult?
Yes, in qualifying felony cases. Minnesota law permits adult certification proceedings for children age 14 or older, with different presumptions and burdens depending on age, offense, prior history, and other statutory factors. Some serious cases may instead proceed as Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile matters.
Will a juvenile case be part of my child’s permanent record?
Juvenile matters are treated differently from adult convictions and are often confidential, but that does not mean they have no impact. Certain felony-level juvenile findings can be visible, and a juvenile record can affect education, employment, housing, and even future background checks. In some cases, expungement or sealing may be possible, but it’s critical to protect your child’s record from the start.
What is Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile (EJJ)?
EJJ is a special prosecution path for specified felony cases involving a child who was 14 to 17 at the time of the alleged offense. An EJJ prosecution includes a right to a jury trial, and a conviction can result in a juvenile disposition plus a stayed adult criminal sentence that can be put at risk if the juvenile disposition is later revoked.
Do we really need a lawyer if it’s ‘just’ juvenile court?
Yes. Juvenile cases can involve detention, lengthy probation, out-of-home placement, loss of driving privileges, and long-term consequences for school and work. Having an experienced juvenile defense lawyer can influence everything from whether charges are filed, to the outcome at trial, to how serious the disposition is and whether your child’s future opportunities remain open.
Free and confidential
Talk to a Plymouth Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you need help with juvenile crimes in Plymouthor Hennepin County, contact Andrew Davis to discuss what happened and what comes next.