Contact Us
Attorney Chandon S. Alexander is a Las Vegas lawyer who is an active member of the National Trial Lawyers Association and has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Attorneys under 40. He is a member of the Clark County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Nevada Justice Association.
The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that traditional statutory and criminal procedural rules that apply in adult court do not apply to juvenile court proceedings. In fact, juvenile courts in Nevada do not have jury trials, and matters handled before the juvenile court are not considered criminal in nature. Nevada state legislature declared in 2003 that one of the goals of the juvenile justice system is to promote programs that have missions to prevent children from becoming subject to the court’s jurisdiction. Nevada is also part of the Interstate Compact for Juveniles, which promotes communication and cooperation between participating states when a juvenile offender has left the state of residence.
Although the state of Nevada believes that juvenile courts should provide rehabilitation and positive intervention to prevent future criminal acts, this doesn’t mean that there are no penalties for juvenile crimes. Children who are convicted of a juvenile offense in Las Vegas may be put into juvenile detention facilities, and a child’s life could be significantly altered if found guilty of a juvenile crime. If there is potential to have a child’s crime reduced or dropped altogether, you must seek representation from a Las Vegas juvenile defense lawyer. Don’t let a mistake shape your child’s future, call the Spartacus Law Firm today and learn more about how we can help.
There are many different crimes that a juvenile can be charged with in the state of Nevada. However, there are some juvenile offenses that are much more common than others. At the Spartacus Law Firm, our Las Vegas juvenile crime attorney has extensive experience handling these cases and will have the resources and knowledge needed to help you and your child. Below are some of the most common types of delinquent acts or crimes prosecuted in the juvenile courts throughout Clark County:
First, it’s important to understand that a juvenile offender who is charged as an adult will be subject to the same criminal process and penalties if convicted, including adult prison. However, penalties are no more lenient for a child charged with a juvenile crime than they would be for an adult charged with the same crime. The specific penalties for a juvenile offense will depend on the crime and circumstances surrounding it. More serious juvenile offenses, and those committed by repeat delinquents, will generally be subjected to stricter consequences. In addition to confinement in juvenile hall or a juvenile correctional facility, your child may also face the following legal consequences, these are also known as dispositional orders:
In the state of Nevada, most juvenile charges are sealed once the child turns 21 years old. However, some of the more serious juvenile offenses may stay on your child’s permanent record until they reach thirty years of age. It goes without saying that a juvenile conviction on your child’s criminal record can be a life-altering moment. There are many different aspects of life that can be negatively impacted including future employment, career, or educational opportunities. In serious juvenile cases where a minor has committed a violent crime or has engaged in repeated delinquent conduct, the child may be certified as an adult, which would result in them being tried in an adult court. Acquiring a skilled juvenile crime attorney in Clark County will provide you and your child with the best opportunity to secure the optimal outcome in your case.
Believe it or not, children are frequently charged as adults for serious crimes, especially in Las Vegas. Rather than facing standard charges in the juvenile justice system, children can be certified as adults in certain circumstances. Below are a few examples of when a child can be tried as an adult for a serious crime:
Those mentioned above are just a few examples of situations where serious crimes result in adult criminal charges for juvenile offenders, however, there are many other charges that can be enhanced to adult crimes in certain circumstances. Furthermore, the transition to adult court for some juvenile cases will only occur after the prosecutor submits a motion to the court and the court conducts an investigation and hearing before certifying the child to be tried as an adult. For more information about the juvenile process, contact the Spartacus Law Firm to speak with our experienced Las Vegas juvenile defense lawyer.
The first step in the juvenile criminal process is that a petition is filed by the District Attorney’s Office alleging that a delinquent act has occurred or a child is in need of supervision. Once the petition has been filed a plea hearing is then set. At the plea hearing, the juvenile must answer the allegations in the petition, the answer can be verbal and some allegations can be admitted, some can be denied, some allegations may be dismissed through negotiations, or all allegations in the petition can be denied.
If allegations in the petition are denied then an adjudicatory hearing is held. This type of hearing is similar to a trial but as previously stated there is no jury. Witnesses are called, evidence can be admitted, witnesses can be confronted through cross-examination, and ultimately the judge will enter dispositional or sentencing orders.
Often times we are able to obtain a resolution and avoid a petition from ever being filed against the juvenile, this is known as an informal resolution. This is the optimal outcome.
Nevada has several juvenile detention facilities where those charged with a juvenile crime may be sent. Summit View Youth Center (SVYC), located in Las Vegas is Nevada’s single maximum-security juvenile jail and will be home to those who have been charged with severe juvenile crimes. The other juvenile facilities that house those charged with a juvenile crime include the following: