We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Law

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Juvenile Lawyer?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,026
Share

A juvenile lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in juvenile law, the area of the law which pertains to people under the adult age. In many regions, this includes individuals under the age of 18, although this age can vary in different areas. Juvenile lawyers work with their clients to help them navigate the justice system, and like lawyers who work with adults, they can represent clients in court, provide legal advice, help to negotiate settlements, and offer other forms of assistance.

Some juvenile lawyers work for government agencies. When children enter the legal system, a juvenile lawyer can be appointed for a child who cannot afford to pay a lawyer. Other juvenile lawyers work in private practice, and may work alone or in a group practice. Lawyers tend to make more money in private practice than in government work.

Juveniles who enter the legal system fall into a number of different categories. Some of them have been accused of criminal activity, and a juvenile lawyer provides representation as they are tried. Others may need services or protective custody, in the case of abused and neglected children and other children who have ended up in the care of the government for a variety of reasons. A juvenile lawyer may provide representation at hearings used to determine whether or not juveniles should be returned home and where they should be placed.

Other juveniles have committed what are known as “status offenses.” A status offense is an activity which is illegal because someone is a juvenile, such as underage possession of alcohol or cigarettes, or truancy from school. Because incarceration is generally deemed a harsh punishment for juveniles, people who commit status offenses are not imprisoned, but they may be fined, asked to do community service, or evaluated to determine if abuse, neglect, and other factors might be contributing to their behavior.

Working as a juvenile lawyer can expose legal professionals to a wide variety of people and cases. The work is often highly dynamic, as lawyers work with people in a variety of situations and with an assortment of needs. People in this field are often interested in human rights, the rights of juveniles specifically, and the place juveniles occupy in the legal system. Many law schools offer training in juvenile law and provide access to internships and other training opportunities for lawyers who intend to work in this area of the law.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-juvenile-lawyer.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.