Connecticut Juvenile Felony Attorney
Prosecution of Teenagers as an Adult or Youthful Offender
We realize that it is a parent's nightmare to have a child accused of a serious felony crime, especially if your kid is taken out of the juvenile justice system and prosecuted as an adult. Instead of juvenile detention, your child could be sentenced to years in prison.
Your son or daughter needs experienced and aggressive representation to fight the charges and avoid the worst. Attorney Daniel P. Weiner has 33 years of experience in both juvenile and criminal courts of Connecticut. He counsels teens and their parents in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Westport, Bridgeport, Fairfield and surrounding Fairfield County. Contact us as soon as possible to arrange a free, confidential consultation.
When Is a Juvenile Tried as an Adult?
Certain major felonies such as murder, rape or armed robbery are a mandatory transfer to adult court. For other felony crimes (drug dealing, weapons, aggravated assault, vehicular homicide), the juvenile prosecutor has the discretion to transfer the case to the adult prosecutor, who can agree or decline to prosecute.
Many factors are considered, such as the severity of the crime, danger to the community, prior convictions and the age of the child:
- A minor under age 14 cannot be tried as an adult.
- A minor age 14 to 17 can be tried as an adult under certain circumstances or adjudicated in the juvenile system.
- Youths age 18 and up are always subject to adult prosecution, even if they are still in high school.
A minor tried as an adult is subject to all the same penalties. If convicted, however, there are prison facilities for offenders under age 21. Our goal is to get charges dismissed or reduced, or to present a compelling defense at trial. Daniel Weiner has handled hundreds of felony prosecutions as a criminal defense lawyer and as a former juvenile prosecutor.
Youthful Offender in Lieu of Adult Prosecution
If your minor child is not tried as an adult:
- Youths age 15 or 16 are adjudicated in juvenile court. We fight to avoid incarceration and achieve alternatives such as treatment or community supervision (probation).
- At present, a 17-year-old with no prior felony convictions or serious juvenile offenses may qualify for the Youthful Offender Program. Youthful offender (YO) adjudication allows for probation instead of correctional lock-up and the conviction is discharged at age 21 if the youth stays out of trouble.
- At present, a 17-year-old who is not eligible for youthful offender status is subject to the full penalties for the crime, the same as an adult defendant. Mr. Weiner has extensive experience at minimizing the consequences.
- Connecticut's youthful offender law is in flux. Mr. Weiner can explain where your child stands under the most current practices for prosecution.
Stamford Attorney Representing Juvenile Offenders
With your child's freedom and future on the line, you need a knowledgeable trial lawyer who has defended juveniles tried as adults. E-mail us or call us at 203-883-9945 to schedule a free consultation.
Attorney Weiner speaks both Spanish and French fluently.
