Plymouth Juvenile Defense Lawyer
Juvenile Defense for clients in Plymouth and Hennepin County.
Juvenile defense
Juvenile 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 →Juvenile court and family questions
Understanding Juvenile Crimes in Plymouth
Juvenile proceedings use different rules and terminology from adult criminal court. Andrew reviews the child’s age, petition, release conditions, and whether EJJ or adult certification is at issue. Follow the juvenile hearing notice rather than assuming the adult criminal court location applies.
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.
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.
Does my child have a right to a jury trial in juvenile court?
Ordinary juvenile delinquency trials are generally tried to a judge rather than a jury. Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile prosecutions are different: Minnesota law provides a right to a jury trial in EJJ proceedings.
What is the difference between EJJ and adult certification?
EJJ keeps the case in a special juvenile-court track but can impose a juvenile disposition together with a stayed adult sentence. Adult certification moves a qualifying felony case into adult criminal court. The applicable standards depend on the child's age, the offense, and other statutory factors.
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Talk to a Plymouth Juvenile Defense Lawyer
If you need help with juvenile crimes in Plymouthor Hennepin County, contact Andrew Davis to discuss what happened and what comes next.