Lawyer for Juveniles Charged as an Adult in Minneapolis

Minnesota Juvenile Defense Attorney

Prosecutors can charge juveniles as adults when they commit violent offenses or crimes that would be punishable by prison if committed by an adult. While most juveniles that are charged as adults are 16 or 17 years old, occasionally younger teens are charged as adults as well. There are ways to legally challenge charging a juvenile as an adult, however. As a juvenile defense attorney, Christa Groshek understands how the juvenile court system works. In fighting an attempt to charge a minor as an adult, Ms. Groshek consults with psychologists and counselors who challenge the prosecution’s claims that public safety would be best served by punishing the child like an adult. In cases where a juvenile has limited prior offense history and there are options for treatment in the juvenile system, Ms. Groshek asks the court to consider treatment instead of punishment.

If your teenage son or daughter is potentially facing charges as an adult, contact Minneapolis juvenile defense attorney Christa Groshek today to schedule a free, confidential consultation to learn how she can help you.

Juveniles Facing Criminal Charges as Adults

The juvenile defense law office of Christa Groshek represents teens potentially facing charges as adults in crimes involving the following:

• Armed robbery
• Assault
• Homicide
• First degree manslaughter
• Rape
• Sexual abuse of a minor
• Arson
• Kidnapping

Contact Minneapolis Criminal Defense Lawyer Christa Groshek

At Groshek Law, each client is viewed as an individual, not a legal problem.

If you are facing charges regarding a juvenile crime, DUI/DWI, theft, burglary, drug crime, white collar crime, domestic violence or probation violation, please contact Christa Groshek for a free initial consultation.

Juveniles Facing Both an Adult and a Juvenile Sanction - Extended Jurisdiction Juveniles (E.J.J.)

Extended jurisdiction juveniles (E.J.J.) is a hybrid type of a sentence where a child is required to comply with strict probation until they are 21 with a stayed adult prison sentence “hanging over their head” as incentive to remain law abiding and compliant with probation. This is what lawmakers consider “one last bite at the apple.” A child who has committed a serious offense still has one last chance to remain in the juvenile system and not face adult sanctions.

There are two ways that a juvenile can end up with this intermediate sanction. One, if a prosecutor fails to convince the judge that the child should be certified as an adult, the fallback option for a child (16 or older) is E.E.J. Two, the prosecutor can move for E.J.J. for a juvenile over the age of 14 who has committed a felony offense. In the latter situation, attorney Groshek advocates heartily to convince a judge that E.J.J. is not appropriate and instead, the child remain in traditional juvenile court. In juvenile court, the law promotes rehabilitation and using the “least restrictive measures to restore the child to law abiding behavior.” In contrast, in adult court, the judge is often bound by sentencing guidelines that mandate prison (especially in the case of violent offenses).

Some of the factors the judge uses to determine whether a child should be certified into adult court or designated E.J.J. are:

• The culpability of the child
• The seriousness of the crime
• The criminal record and prior programming history of the juvenile
• Adequacy of existing juvenile programs to punish the seriousness of the offense

After reviewing a court-ordered psychological evaluation and a probation report detailing the child’s history, the parties attempt to reach a resolution on the venue of the case. If the parties do not agree, then a contested hearing is held before the judge who evaluates the testimony of the professionals and weighs the factors.

These issues are decided before the substance of the case is resolved. Once the court determines the posture of the case, then the matter can proceed to a jury trial if the child is certified into adult court or designated E.J.J. If the judge determines that the case deserves to be heard in juvenile court, then a trial is heard before a judge and no jury trial is available.

Adult certification and E.J.J. hearings require special experience to help ensure a just result for the child. Not every criminal defense attorney has the skills and tools of attorney Groshek, who has devoted a significant portion of her practice to juvenile court defense.

Contact E.J.J. Designation/Adult Certification Juvenile Defense Attorney Christa Groshek Today

If your son or daughter is facing trial as an adult or Extended Juvenile, contact Minneapolis juvenile defense attorney Christa Groshek today to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case.