Juvenile Crimes Put 50 Years of Combined Experience in Your Corner

Harrisburg Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Providing Defense For Juvenile Charges in Pennsylvania

If your child has been arrested and charged for a crime, it is crucial to formulate a strong defense as soon as possible. A criminal conviction can follow a child for the rest of their lives. Certain offenses can even lead to a minor being tried as an adult.

At the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer, our Harrisburg juvenile lawyer has over 50 years of combined experience protecting the rights of minors accused of a variety of offenses.

Rely on our skilled legal team to defend your minor against charges related to:

Your child cannot afford a halfhearted defense. Contact the Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer at (717) 775-6110 to speak with one of our Harrisburg juvenile lawyers today.

The Focus of the Juvenile Justice System

In Pennsylvania, the juvenile justice system differs from the adult justice system primarily in its focus on rehabilitation, rather than retribution. The goal of the juvenile system is to help educate and rehabilitate minors so that they will become productive members of society and avoid engaging in future criminal activity. However, this does not mean that those convicted of juvenile crimes won’t have any consequences.

There are a range of penalties that a minor can face, including:

  • Community service
  • Restitution
  • Probation
  • Detention
  • Drug or alcohol abuse treatment
  • Court-ordered counseling
  • Placement in a residential treatment facility

What Are the 3 Types of Juvenile Offenders?

Three types of juveniles typically come before juvenile courts:

  • Those accused of criminal conduct
  • Those neglected or abused by their parents or those in need of assistance from the state
  • Children engaged in any act prohibited by law, such as being absent from school (truancy), fleeing from home, disobeying reasonable parental controls, or purchasing alcohol, tobacco, or pornography

The term juvenile delinquent originally applied to any child found to be within the jurisdiction of a juvenile court. The list included both children accused of status offenses and those needing assistance from the state. Delinquent was not meant as a derogatory term: its literal meaning suggested that society and parents failed to raise the child, not that the child failed to succeed.

    See What Our Clients Are Saying

    We Use Our Experience & Tenacity to Put You in the Best Possible Position

    • “Mr. Lauer is very knowledgeable and personable. He truly cares for each and every client that he defends.”

      - Teresa B.

    • “He made the impossible possible. Mr. Lauer went above and beyond with his defense strategies.”

      - Jodi P.

    • “Go with the lawyer that Wrote the Book! Go with Patrick Lauer!”

      - Brad T.

    When Can a Minor Be Tried as an Adult?

    While most juvenile offenders in Harrisburg (those who are under the age of 18) will have their cases handled by the juvenile court system, some will have their cases filed in adult court. For example, if a child is over the age of 15 and used a deadly weapon in the commissioning of a certain type of offense, he or she will be tried as an adult.

    These offenses include:

    • Rape
    • Manslaughter
    • Murder
    • Robbery
    • Aggravated assault
    • Kidnapping
    • Grand theft auto
    • Aggravated sexual offenses

    In cases where the minor offender did not use a deadly weapon but has a previous criminal record, any of the above offenses will also be directly filed to the adult court. However, juvenile defense lawyers are sometimes able to get these cases removed to juvenile court. The judge will consider numerous factors in making a decision, including the age of the offender, their maturity and mental capacity, the sophistication of the crime, public safety, and the potential benefit of the minor going through the juvenile system.

    Contact Our Cumberland County Juvenile Crime Attorneys

    If your child is in trouble with the law, contact the our Harrisburg juvenile attorney at Law Offices of Patrick F. Lauer right away. No matter the charges your child is facing, we are committed to fighting for the best possible outcome.

    Call (717) 775-6110 or contact us online to begin with a free consultation. We can help you understand the charges brought against your child and how to mount the strongest possible defense.

    Protecting the Rights of People from All Walks of Life

    Get to Know Us to See What Sets Us Apart
    • More Than 50 Years of Combined Experience
    • Board Certified for More Than 25 Years
    • More Than 200 Jury Trials & 40,000 Preliminary Hearings
    • Never Lost a Sex Case or Murder Case at Trial
    • Certified in Field Sobriety Testing
    • Exceptional Experience in All Breath Testing Equipment

    Start Protecting Your Rights Today

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