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Wilmington, North Carolina and New Hanover County Juvenile Law Attorneys

The juvenile justice system is designed to protect the safety of the public at large while still providing opportunities for delinquent juveniles to rehabilitate and contribute to society as free, law-abiding citizens. If your child has been charged with a crime, the juvenile law attorneys at our practice serving Wilmington, North Carolina and other New Hanover County communities can guide you throughout the judicial process. The juvenile law lawyers at Mako & Associates can help ensure that your child is afforded his/her constitutional rights to a speedy trial, a hearing on the merits of the charges if necessary, consult with the juvenile court counselor assigned to your child's case, and conference with the juvenile District Attorney in advance to ensure the best possible outcome for the case under North Carolina law.  

The Juvenile Justice System
Informal vs. Formal Hearings

The Juvenile Justice System

The judicial justice system is founded on the belief that children and youth are different from adults in several fundamental ways. Juveniles might not yet have a fully formed conception of what is right or wrong or how severe the consequences of poor decisions may be for themselves and others. In addition, because juveniles' brains are not yet fully developed, rehabilitative programs can help them change their behavior and avoid future incarceration.

People between the ages of 7 and 16 are generally eligible to be tried in juvenile court, although the circumstances surrounding each case will determine whether the accused individual will be tried as a juvenile or as an adult.  Minors can be tried as an adult in North Carolina beginning at age 14.

The juvenile law lawyers at Mako & Associates will commit themselves to zealous advocacy in representing your child.  If your child is innocent of the charges that have been filed against him or her, our juvenile law attorneys have the experience and skill to present compelling evidence that the case should be dismissed. If rehabilitative treatment is the best solution to address the child’s needs, our juvenile law attorneys will work to ensure that he or she is assigned to receive access to appropriate state programs under their juvenile probation terms.  Also, our attorneys will counsel you and your child about the high standard  of confidentiality in juvenile cases and what that means to your child continuing to have access to the best education applicable and no limitations on future job opportunities.

Informal vs. Formal Hearings

The juvenile justice system is generally more flexible than the adult justice system so that juveniles have ample opportunity to learn right from wrong and break free from the cycle of crime and punishment. Informal hearings are a common way in which juveniles can answer for their actions, submit to drug or other rehabilitation programs, and avoid the stricter punishments of criminal courts. In these hearings, the youth admits guilt to either the pled charge or a lesser charge and are placed on a probationary period wherein they must agree to meet certain requirements such as paying restitution, obeying a curfew, attending school regularly, and participating in rehabilitation programs, among other things. 

In a formal hearing, the District Attorney will interview witnesses and analyze evidence to decide whether the youth is innocent or guilty. If the court finds the youth guilty, then an adjudicatory hearing will be held to determine the appropriate course of action.
In this hearing the court may decide to apportion probation, place the youth in a residential facility, limited (weekend) confinement and/or counseling and rehabilitation programs. The juvenile law lawyers at Mako & Associates will provide your child with aggressive legal representation to help ensure that his or her rights are protected.

Contact Our Juvenile Law Lawyers Serving Wilmington, North Carolina and New Hanover County

If your child has been accused of a crime, contact the juvenile law attorneys serving Wilmington, North Carolina and all of  New Hanover County. Our juvenile law lawyers will provide you with experienced and dedicated representation.

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