Tucson Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney
In Arizona, the Juvenile Court has jurisdiction for crimes committed by people under the age of 18. A juvenile may be accused of the same types of offenses as adults – e.g., assault, DUI, domestic violence, drug possession. His or her case will however be handled by the Juvenile Court, which has different procedures than that of regular criminal court, but is as equally serious. Elias Damianakos is an experienced Tucson Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney that has represented many juveniles involved in the criminal justice system.
Juvenile Court Jurisdiction
Due to the age of the offender, the goals of juvenile court focus more on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Rehabilitation generally includes counseling, monitoring, and community service. However, the juvenile court loses jurisdiction over the people under 18 once they turn 18. So if person who is 17 years and 11 months old commits a DUI, for example, it is very likely that the case will be transferred to adult court once they turn 18.
Juveniles May Be Tried as Adults
There are some types of offenses however, that the prosecutor must bring in adult court, even if committed by a juvenile. Under A.R.S. § 13-501, the following crimes subject a juvenile to adult court:
A. The county attorney shall bring a criminal prosecution against a juvenile in the same manner as an adult if the juvenile is fifteen, sixteen or seventeen years of age at the time the alleged offense is committed and the juvenile is accused of any of the following offenses:
1. First degree murder in violation of section 13-1105.
2. Second degree murder in violation of section 13-1104.
3. Forcible sexual assault in violation of section 13-1406.
4. Armed robbery in violation of section 13-1904.
5. Any other violent felony offense.
6. Any felony offense committed by a chronic felony offender.
7. Any offense that is properly joined to an offense listed in this subsection.
There are some types of offenses that the prosecutor may bring in adult court, even if committed by a juvenile. Under A.R.S. § 13-501, the following crimes may subject a juvenile to adult court:
B. Except as provided in subsection A of this section, the county attorney may bring a criminal prosecution against a juvenile in the same manner as an adult if the juvenile is at least fourteen years of age at the time the alleged offense is committed and the juvenile is accused of any of the following offenses:
1. A class 1 felony.
2. A class 2 felony.
3. A class 3 felony in violation of any offense in chapters 10 through 17 or chapter 19 or 23 of this title.
4. A class 3, 4, 5 or 6 felony involving a dangerous offense.
5. Any felony offense committed by a chronic felony offender.
6. Any offense that is properly joined to an offense listed in this subsection.
Elias Damianakos is a skilled Tucson Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney. If your child has been accused of a crime in Arizona, call our office to discuss your options, the juvenile court process, and how to achieve the best resolution in the case.
