Juvenile Delinquency Defense Attorney
Protecting the rights of children in Colorado
How Barrie can help:
Barrie will explain every step of the process to your child in language that is age appropriate and make sure they are fully aware of what they are facing. She will empower them with the explanations and legal knowledge to make a decision that they feel is best for them. She will employ general criminal defense strategies, like reviewing the evidence for constitutional violations or obtaining assistance from her investigator to gather additional helpful evidence. She will fight zealously to get your child a resolution that does not permanently affect their record and that utilizes the least intrusive methods of rehabilitation so that your lives as a family are not severely impacted.
Barrie has seven years of juvenile delinquency experience, having represented children on a wide variety of offenses. She is widely known as one of the most experienced juvenile delinquency lawyers in Southwest Colorado. Barrie also brings experience as a guardian ad litem or counsel for youth in dependency and neglect cases that provides her with a unique and broad set of skills to aid your child through delinquency court.
My child was arrested or received a summons for delinquency court – what should I do?
Having a child get arrested or even get a summons into delinquency court can be a very scary thing. It is important to first make sure that you know when the court date is, that you comply with any CYDC/”pre-trial” supervision contract, and that you hire a lawyer. Although a parent may waive a child’s right to remain silent and allow law enforcement to question their child, it is important to remember that all of these statements can and will still be used against your child in the delinquency case.
How is delinquency court different than adult criminal court?
Delinquency court operates very differently than adult criminal court, even though children in delinquency court are still charged with criminal offenses. The focus of delinquency court is rehabilitation and the best interest of the child, not punishment. Because of this, some procedures are more informal and options for resolution are more open. Additionally, a parent or guardian will always be listed as a “Respondent,” meaning they are also a party to the case.
What rights does my child have in delinquency court?
Even though delinquency court is different from adult criminal court, children still maintain certain constitutional rights. Children enjoy the right to remain silent; the right to choose what plea (guilty or not guilty) to enter; the right to an attorney; and the right to a bench trial. The right to a trial includes the right to confront the witnesses against them and to present a defense.
Do I need to worry about my child going to jail?
Generally speaking, it is not common for children to go to detention, which is the equivalent of jail for children. The courts utilize many different rehabilitative resolutions for children to avoid incarceration.
Do I need an attorney to represent my child in delinquency court?
Juvenile delinquency court is a very complex and very specific practice. In addition to being familiar with general criminal offenses and procedure, a person practicing in delinquency court must be familiar with a large body of laws that apply only to delinquency matters. This includes a complex expungement statute. Understanding what types of sentences or resolutions could impact your child’s ability to have their record expunged is the job of an experienced attorney.
My name is on the summons, too – am I in trouble?
Not necessarily. In delinquency court, a parent or guardian must always be involved in the proceeding and therefore will be listed as the “Respondent.” A Respondent is subject to the jurisdiction of the court, meaning the court can require you to do certain things so long as they are related to the best interest of your child.
Do I need my own attorney for my child’s delinquency case?
It is important to note that the same attorney generally cannot represent a child accused of a crime and the Respondent Parent. Barrie can represent your child and your child does, by law, drive the defense strategy and make his or her own choices about what happens in the case. If you wish to have specific advice related to your role and duties as Respondent, it is a good idea to seek independent counsel.
Nothing on this page is to be construed as legal advice and is for personal informational purposes only.
Barrie has represented people in Durango, Cortez, Pagosa Springs, Dove Creek, Bayfield, Ignacio, Mancos, Silverton, and Dolores. If you need help and are in any of these areas, get in touch for a consultation.