Juvenile Attorney – Columbus and Delaware, Ohio

If your child has been charged with a criminal offense in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced Columbus and Delaware, Ohio criminal defense attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss your child’s case and assist you in fighting the charges. Call (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding your child’s case.

Juvenile Offenses in Ohio

A common fear for many parents is the lasting impact a conviction can have on their children. At Johnson Legal, LLC, Attorney David Johnson defends young people who have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense. A conviction can lead to problems for young people, such as impacting their ability to find a job, get into college and some offenses can result in incarceration. While juvenile courts are geared more towards rehabilitation than punishment, the impact on your child can be immense.

There are several classifications of juvenile offenders under Ohio law. The punishment the juvenile will face depends on how their alleged crimes is classified.

A delinquent child is a juvenile who violates the laws of Ohio or federal laws and such action would be a crime if committed by an adult according to Ohio Revised Code 2152.02. The juvenile may be taken into custody by law enforcement and released to the juvenile’s parent or guardian, or held in a youth detention center. The police must make a decision regarding releasing or detaining the child within 3 or 6 hours depending upon the charge.

If the child is not released within the 3 or 6 hour window, an adjudicatory hearing must be scheduled within 72 hours. The judge will determine if the alleged actions by the juvenile would be a crime if committed by an adult. If the judge determines that the juvenile’s actions would be a crime if committed by an adult, the judge may permit the child to be detained further at a juvenile detention center.

An unruly child, under ORC 2151.022, is a juvenile who is habitually truant, does not submit to parental or custodial control, acts in a manner that may injure themselves or others, or violates any law.

Serious youth offender status, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 2152.02, is reserved for juveniles of a certain age who commit certain criminal acts. This status is very complicated and if your child is charged as a serious youth offender, contact a juvenile or criminal defense attorney immediately.

Attorney David Johnson represents young people against a variety of charges, including:

Ohio Juvenile Penalties

Penalties for juvenile offenses are quite broad, ranging from community service and fines to being charged as an adult and imprisoned. If a juvenile is convicted of the charges against them, the child will be sentenced at a dispositional hearing. The juvenile offender may be subjected to:

Community control
Community service
Driver’s license suspension
Confinement in temporary or permanent custody
Placement in a detention facility
Mandatory participation in drug, alcohol, medical or psychological treatment
Imprisonment if charged as an adult
Probation
House Arrest
Requirement to obtain a high school diploma
Fines and court costs
Curfew
Drug and alcohol use monitoring

For a more complete discussion of juvenile penalties in Ohio, read Johnson Legal, LLC’s breakdown of Ohio Juvenile Crime Penalties.

Franklin County Teen Court

This is a diversion program for first-time non-violent misdemeanor juvenile offenders. The program is designed as an intervention program and is based on on providing alternative options to the juvenile justice system.

The Teen Court program utilizes teen offenders in the community to sentence teens who have admitted their involvement to the charges against them. Juvenile offenders who have previously been sentenced serve as jurors, attorneys and bailiffs in the cases of other juvenile offenders under adult supervision. This program holds juveniles accountable for their actions and provides education about the juvenile justice system.

Those eligible for Teen Court are offenders 11-17 years old, have a charge against them, are a first-time offender, who have admitted their involvement in the offense, have consent from a parent or guardian, and can commit to five weeks of participation.

Sentences instituted as part of this program include apologizing to the victim or parents, restitution, community service, research papers on the laws that were violated, and an essay on selected topics.

Avoiding a Juvenile Record in Ohio

Under Ohio Revised Code 2151.356, a juvenile record may be sealed if the juvenile’s case was resolved before the filing of a complaint, the juvenile has completed a diversion program, or the juvenile’s case was dismissed. A juvenile’s record may also be sealed by application 2 years after the final disposition of the case.

All sealed juvenile records will be expunged 5 years after the court issues an order sealing the record, or on the 23rd birthday of the juvenile pursuant to ORC 2151.358. Additionally, a juvenile may apply to have their record expunged.

Prior to the filing of formal charges against the offender, the juvenile may be able to participate in a juvenile victim/offender mediation program. This program attempts to resolve the conflict between the victim and offender and is facilitated by a third-party.

Resources in Columbus for Juvenile Offenders

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas – Juvenile Branch – This court provides judicial services, detention services and information on programs for children, parents and the community. This website also has information for juvenile offenders in Franklin County, including information about the juvenile detention center and local forms pertaining to juvenile offenses. The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas is located at 373 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Ohio Department of Youth Services – This department acts as the juvenile corrections system for Ohio. This department is responsible for the confinement of juvenile offenders. The central office is located at 30 W. Spring St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.

Columbus and Delaware, Ohio Juvenile Attorney

If you or your child has been charged with a criminal offense in Columbus or Delaware, Ohio, contact Johnson Legal, LLC and speak with an experienced juvenile defense attorney. Attorney David Johnson of Johnson Legal, LLC will discuss the case with you and assist you or your child in fighting the charges. Call (614) 987-0192 or send an email to schedule a consultation regarding you or your child’s case.

Johnson Legal, LLC serves the following cities in the central Ohio area for juvenile offenses:

Westerville, Worthington, Columbus, Polaris, Reynoldsburg, Grandview Heights, Shawnee Hills, Bexley, Pickerington, Gahanna, Sunbury, Powell, Upper Arlington, New Albany, Dublin, Hilliard, Lewis Center, Galena, Clintonville, Huber Ridge, Blacklick, Grove City, Delaware, Marysville, Groveport, Newark, Canal Winchester, Obetz, Marion, Pataskala, Franklin County, Morrow County, Licking County, Union County and Delaware County