Get free answers to your Juvenile Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I'm a 15-year-old facing an assault charge in Texas, and I've had my fingerprints taken six weeks ago. Since then, my parents haven't received any communication from the police or the court, nor has an attorney been appointed for me. Is this lack of communication normal in such... View More 
answered on Jul 1, 2025
I recommend that you hire your own attorney, one with experience handling juvenile cases in or near the county where you were fingerprinted.
How quickly--and whether--formal charges will be brought against you for delinquent conduct depends upon the specific facts and circumstances of the... View More
I'm concerned about my 15-year-old daughter's legal situation. She was charged after an incident where a male student threatened her. The public defender advises against going to trial due to the seriousness of the charge under paragraph 1 245(a)(1) and suggests accepting a... View More
answered on Jun 28, 2025
Your question raises a number of issues. First, trust is central to the lawer-client relationship; when this is weak or absent, the client needs to find another lawyer. Second, a defendant will not get a reliable second-opinion without first dismissing her current attorney and then hiring a new... View More
I am 17 years old and live with my mom's boyfriend. He has abused and threatened me, putting me in fear for my life. I have reported these incidents to Child Protective Services and the police. Although I don't have physical evidence, I do have witnesses to the abuse. Can I file an order... View More
answered on Jun 24, 2025
Yes, you may file for an Order of Protection from your mom’s boyfriend so long as you lived with him and he inflicted or tried to inflict physical harm on you. One wrinkle in your case is your status as a minor. Since you are 17, you must have your parent’s signature on your filings, or the... View More
I am 17 years old, and my boyfriend is 22. My parents discovered flirty and sexual text messages between us that date back to three months before I turned 17. There are no existing restraining orders and no previous involvement with law enforcement. My parents have been threatening for 4 months to... View More
answered on Jun 14, 2025
This is a very delicate and stressful situation, and it’s clear you're trying to handle it responsibly while protecting someone you care about. The main legal risk your boyfriend faces is whether the messages—especially those sent before you turned 17—could be interpreted as evidence of... View More
I'm 54 years old with an open misdemeanor juvenile charge from 1991 on my record. Despite having no other legal issues or adult criminal record since, I've recently moved from California to Arizona and applied for a CCW. My application was denied due to this unresolved misdemeanor, with a... View More
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answered on Jun 5, 2025
Removing your criminal record must be handled in the court that has the criminal record. For instance, if this juvenile misdemeanor happened in CA, then it is a CA lawyer who has to help you remove this.
If this happened in Arizona, there are a couple different things going on.... View More
I was convicted of a felony in Georgia when I was 16, back in 1994. Having completed all my obligations and now being off paper, am I legally allowed to purchase or own a firearm?
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answered on May 30, 2025
If you are still a convicted felon, then you are not legally allowed to purchase or own a firearm. It is possible, but first, you would need to be off paper for 5 years. Then, you would seek a restoration of rights, or a pardon that includes the lifting of gun restrictions by filing a petition with... View More
My 17-year-old daughter was recently caught and arrested at school in Texas with a THC cartridge, facing charges under "POSS CS PG2 <1G." Previously, she completed probation for a school-related incident, which was dismissed after no positive drug tests, and had a dismissed charge of... View More
answered on May 29, 2025
In Texas, 17 is the age at which a person may be charged as an adult, not a juvenile. Possession of a THC vape cartridge is a felony-level offense. Texas is prosecuting THC cases heavily, so it is certainly in your daughter's best interests for you to hire a criminal defense attorney for her.... View More
I am 17 years old, living in New Jersey, and I am financially independent with a place to stay. There are no custody arrangements, and my parents are moving back to Brazil while I wish to stay in America. Under these circumstances, can I legally make my own decisions?
answered on May 23, 2025
In New Jersey, the age of majority is 18, meaning that at this age, you are legally considered an adult and can make your own decisions. However, at 17, you are still considered a minor.
Even though you are financially independent and have a place to stay, you generally cannot legally make... View More
I am a minor working as an admin at BreachForums, primarily involved in cybercrime, money laundering, and managing stolen data/accounts, though I don't personally obtain the data. I help middleman for the forum, and also manage their social media accounts and announcements. I haven't had... View More
answered on May 13, 2025
You could be implicated in conspiracy to commit a crime or aiding and abetting cybercrime, even if you didn't commit any hacks yourself. This could include wire fraud and money laundering crimes, or crimes under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) for trafficking in stolen credentials.... View More
I'm 17 years old and planning to leave my parents' house soon. I bought a used car with my money, but it's registered under my dad's name. My brother witnessed me paying for it, and I'm listed as a driver on my dad's insurance policy, although he refuses to transfer... View More
answered on May 1, 2025
You cannot have the title in your name alone unless you are 18. You were a minor when the car was purchased. It does not matter who paid for it. If your dad's name is on the title, he will want the car to be insured. You cannot take the car without your father's permission.
I am the parent of a 17-year-old daughter who will turn 18 in September. She has mental health issues and is currently on probation, which she has violated. She refuses to get a job, rarely attends school, and is verbally abusive, demanding money from her father's death benefit. Recently, the... View More
answered on May 1, 2025
To remove an occupant from a home, whether they have a lease or not, and have been staying there for more than 3-4 weeks, a court order from landlord-tenant court is required. If the occupant is a child under 18, this may serve as a complete defense to eviction. A person cannot simply be told to... View More
My girlfriend and I, now ending our relationship, bought a home together, and both of us are on the mortgage loan. However, the deed is solely in my name. We both contributed to the down payment and split the mortgage payments 60/40, but there is no written agreement regarding our ownership or... View More
answered on Apr 30, 2025
You can ask her, but if she refuses, you would have to proceed with the proper eviction process. She could then sue you to recover her contribution to the down payment and mortgage, and perhaps some of the appreciation in the home value claiming a partnership and other legal claims, and you could... View More
I am 17 and live in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the past year, my mother has not provided me with proper homeschooling, social interaction, help with life skills, or guidance in obtaining a job or state ID. Despite reporting this to CPS and the police, they sent me back to live with her as she has full... View More
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answered on May 2, 2025
Thank you for reaching out—your situation is both serious and time-sensitive. In Nevada, a father can take legal action to seek custody even if the other parent has full legal and physical custody. Since you're 17, there is still time for your father to intervene before you turn 18,... View More
I am a 16-year-old currently living in Alabama with my grandmother after being removed from my mother's home in Texas by CPS due to domestic violence and home conditions. I work part-time while attending school, so I'm unable to support myself fully. I wish to get emancipated and live... View More
answered on Apr 9, 2025
When you reach 17 years of age, you need to hire an attorney in Texas to file a suit for emancipation. It would be best if your parents were in agreement. You will be required to serve them with your suit and they will have the opportunity to object. Because of how long any case takes to reach... View More
If a minor is disowned by their parents and the parents take away items such as devices and car keys, which were bought by the minor or gifted by friends, would the parents be legally required to return those items to the child in California? There are no formal agreements documenting ownership,... View More
answered on Mar 26, 2025
"Child" ?? I'm assuming it's the "child" who is posting this question? Are you 18 or older? There is no legal concept of "disowning" a child. Without knowing what the legal relationship is between you and the parents in this scenario, without knowing your... View More
My son is being accused of a crime committed when he was a teenager. Recently, at age 19, he was brought in by police for questioning. He informed the detective that he would not speak without his lawyer present, and his lawyer was already in contact with the office. Regardless, the officer claimed... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2025
It very well could be. If the questioning and the demanding of the cell phone password occurred after your son invoked his right to counsel, then it's potentially a violation of his 5th and 6th Amendment rights. However, an experienced attorney would need to review the evidence before drawing... View More
I am representing myself in a dependency case in Colorado where I've experienced clear bias from the judge, who has enforced detrimental punishments without evidence. The department involved has committed fraud, HIPAA violations, judicial deception, and harassment, seemingly in retaliation for... View More
answered on Mar 25, 2025
I agree with my colleague below. I am adding that if you do not get legal representation, you should file a motion for judicial recusal that focuses solely on the facts (not feelings and judgment) and listing EVERY fact that shows there is bias.
For example:
"We never received... View More
I "stole" my friends car, he doesn't care but his mom does. She is making me pay her 300 bucks or she is telling the police for sure, if i pay her she may still tell. Obviously im in the wrong but now that she's blackmailing me will the crime be waved especially because my friend doesn't care?
answered on Mar 19, 2025
Don't pay blackmail, there is no end to that. If she turns you in, so be it. The timing of the police report will be taken into consideration. If it's your friends car and he gave you permission, what is the problem?
My 17-year-old son was issued a criminal citation for reckless driving as he was caught driving 120 mph in a 70 mph zone. He has no prior citations or offenses, there are no additional charges, and he has a court date scheduled. Will he face jail time?
answered on Mar 17, 2025
Reckless driving is a gross misdemeanor. Maxim penalties are up to 364 days in jail, and a $5000 fine. If found committed, he will also have a 30-day license suspension and a mandatory 3-years of SR-2 (high-risk) insurance to have a license.
The reality is, as my colleague says, jail time... View More
I witnessed a minor stealing an item from a CVS store. Am I legally allowed to report this incident to the police?
answered on Mar 14, 2025
Yes, you are legally permitted to report a theft you witness, even if the individual involved is a minor. However, it's important to keep in mind that incidents involving minors are often handled differently than those involving adults. Law enforcement typically approaches these cases with a... View More
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