Fulton County Juvenile Charges

Fulton County officers can charge and arrest young offenders with crimes just they would their older counterparts. However, if you are under the age of 17 in the state of Georgia, you will likely be prosecuted in the juvenile system. For very serious crimes, offenders as young as 12 or 13 can be tried as adults. But for the more common offenses of under 21 DUI charges, minor in possession of alcohol, underage consumption of alcohol, public drunk, possession of less marijuana, affray, battery, shoplifting, possession of drugs / dangerous drugs / prescription drugs, and indecent exposure offenses, these will likely be prosecuted in the Fulton County juvenile court system.

The Fulton Co. juvenile court functions much like the adult state and municipal courts, but with some key protections. Juvenile charges are closed proceedings, not public like in the adult system. This confidentiality is key to protecting the rights and records of young offenders. To protect a young persons record, no one is ever convicted. Instead, there are juvenile adjudications. This means that a juvenile can honestly answer on a job or college application that they have never been convicted of any crime. Typically, a juvenile record can also be sealed after their probation ends. Many Fulton County juvenile prosecuting attorneys are also agreeable to a juvenile negotiating an outcome that is not even as severe as a juvenile adjudication. Ask our lawyers what terms like "holding in abeyance" and "informal adjustment" mean. These are programs designed to protect your offenders. OurFulton County lawyers have experience negotiating great results for our young and juvenile offenders and getting them the best possible outcome in their cases. Our attorneys also have experience contesting juvenile charges and conducting hearings and juvenile court trials.

In cases such as underage DUI charges, minor in possession or underage consumption, and drug offenses including simple possession, it is very important that a juvenile court defense lawyer be contacted. These offenses are all ones in which there are implications for losing your drivers license. Even though juvenile court offers protections for young offenders criminal record, their driving record can still reflect such charges. The Georgia Department of Drivers services can suspend and revoke a young offenders drivers license and this will remain on their driving record forever. Call Fulton County attorney Richard Lawson and his associate lawyers today to discuss your case and the questions you may have. No case is hopeless and there is a lot that can be done to protect your rights. Call today for a free case consultation.