20+ Years of Experience
Chicago Juvenile Crimes Attorney
Illinois has a dedicated juvenile justice system to handle criminal acts by minors under the age of 18. This system is separate from the adult criminal justice system and is designed to assist juveniles and move them away from criminal behavior. If you or someone you love has been charged with a juvenile crime it is important to speak with an experienced Chicago juvenile crimes attorney as soon as possible.
There are many alternative sentences that can be achieved in the juvenile system, but those options will likely only be available if you hire an attorney. The Kostopoulos Law Group can help to minimize the consequences of a juvenile arrest, and achieve the best possible outcome in your criminal case.
20+ Years of Experience
Experienced Former Prosecutor
Top Rated in Criminal Defense
What Happens When a Juvenile is Arrested?
When a juvenile is arrested in Chicago, police may be required to detain them separately and for a shorter amount of time than adults. The specific procedures that apply will depend on the age of the juvenile.
Juveniles under the age of 12 may only be detained for six hours after an arrest. A parent or guardian must be called to secure custody of this child.
Juveniles between the ages of 12 and 16 can be held for between 12 and 24 hours, depending on the type of crime they have been arrested for committing. Juveniles over the age of 16 can be held as adults.
Can Police Question Juveniles Without a Parent or Lawyer?
In most situations, police are not required to wait for a juvenile to have a parent or lawyer present during questioning. However, police are lawfully required to make a reasonable effort to contact a parent or guardian after a juvenile has been arrested in Chicago.
If the police do begin to question a juvenile without a parent or attorney present, a youth officer must be present in the room. A youth officer is responsible for ensuring that the juvenile’s rights are protected. However, this officer is a full-fledged law enforcement officer and can (and will) collect damaging evidence against that juvenile.
There are limited situations when a juvenile must have an attorney present for questioning. These include times when a minor is arrested for homicide or sexual assault. If the juvenile does not have an attorney the state must provide one.
Are All Crimes By Minors Heard in Juvenile Court?
Most crimes committed by minors under the age of 18 will be adjudicated in Chicago’s juvenile criminal justice system. However, there are certain situations when criminal acts committed by a juvenile will proceed through the traditional adult criminal justice system. A court will consider factors relevant to each case to determine if a young person should be tried as a juvenile or an adult. The most important factors in this decision include:
- Whether the crime was a misdemeanor or felony offense; and
- The age of the offender at the time of the act.
If a juvenile is close to the age of 18 and/or commits a very serious offense, the chances of being tried as an adult are greater. When you hire an attorney, we will advocate to have you tried as a juvenile.
“Got my felony completely dismissed!”
My family’s lawyer told me that you are top trial lawyers. You won my felony hearing and got my felony completely dismissed! Thank you
– Michael L
“I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery”
I was facing multiple charges of Domestic Battery , had 3 warrants issued for my arrest and had these stupid charges weighing on me for 6 years, not wanting to face the music. I finally got picked up and with 6 small children at home, there was NO WAY I could afford to have jailtime. Joe listened and asked crucial questions and from the start he told me he would get it dismissed. I was skeptical to say the least. I paid him in 2 payments (he is super flexible) and then waited after the holidays for final court date. Completely dismissed. He will not give you false hope. He is honest, real and the ONLY person I want in my corner. HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! Don’t have someone else give you the runaround as most attorneys do. Save yourself the BS and GO WITH JOE !!!
– Christina S. | March 2019
“I could not be more pleasedand thankful.”
Please read this before you look for another lawyer!! First off, I want to say I am writing this review not because someone asked but because I am so beyond grateful and impressed to have had this group defending me in the court of law. I have never had such exceptional customer service and treated as if I were a high-end long time client. They made me feel like my case was just as important to them as the next. Their articulate steps were given to me in the very beginning to go over what was to be expected and what their goal was. Their rather diligent and speedy efforts to resolve my case couldn’t have been dealt with any better as my case could have gone south real quick. I trusted this group to take full control, let them do their work and they delivered with an outcome I was not expecting. I could not be more pleased and thankful as well as appreciated their flexibility with my payments (that was more than affordable for the hard work they did) as I was in a tight bind at the time. Thank you Joe, Rosemary and everyone else in between who have helped along the way! Your efforts were not unrecognized and I wish your group the best in the future to come! Lets just hope I don’t have to go through this again. If so I’m calling you back!!
– Mareena G. | January 2020
“He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record.”
I came into some trouble with the law and being my first ever having to hire a lawyer was difficult. When a good friend of mine told me about Joe at Kostopoulos Law Group I had a good feeling about him. Around the time I came into some trouble with the law I was in the process of enlisting for the United States Marines. This court case was stopping me from going any further with my plans of enlisting. I brought the case to Joe and let him know my situation. He was able to dismiss my case and expunge this legal problem off my record. Joe cleared it all up for me and I had little to no worries. I HIGHLY recommended Joe from Kostopoulos Law Group. He will put your mind to ease and take care of your legal trouble. Joe is a very down to earth guy, respectful man, and super friendly. Thank you Joe for taking care of my case I really appreciate it.
– Jonathan G. | November 2019
“Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed.”
Words cannot describe how grateful I am to Joe and Gus. It is very hard to find a dedicated sincere attorney like Joe. Even if anyone calls their number in the middle of the night, Joe will be there to answer and hear your case for sure. Just like that, few months ago, I got into a very unfortunate circumstance. My wife was worried sick didn’t know what to do, called the Kostopoulos Law firm in the middle of the night, since then, Joe is been supporting me till the case got completely dismissed. Gus, Joe and Rosemary helped in getting my case dismissed. Words are enough to express my gratitude and appreciation for their sincere dedication and hard work. They went above and beyond to make sure I understood what was happening and what needed to be done to get the case completely dismissed and expunged. To say my experience with the Kostopoulos Law group was pleasant would be the biggest understatement. I am forever thankful to them both. If you happen to find yourself if legal troubles I highly recommend the Kostopoulos Law Group.Thank you Gus, Joe and Rosemary!!
– Imran Q. | May 2019
What Happens When You Are Tried as Juvenile?
Detention or Release During Proceedings
When a minor is charged as a juvenile in Chicago they can be released to their parent/guardian or detained by the state for the duration of the trial. Juveniles between the ages of 10 and 16 can be held at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. The juvenile detention center is designed to make sure that youthful offenders are housed in a safe environment and have access to “programs and structure that enhance personal development and improve opportunity for success upon return to the community.”
Juvenile Court Hearings
Juvenile crimes are tried before a special juvenile court. This court has jurisdiction over all juveniles who have violated a local, state, or federal law. The following hearings may take place when a juvenile has been charged with a crime:
Pre-trial detention hearing. This will determine if a juvenile should be detained or released for the duration of the criminal proceedings.
Transfer to adult court hearing. This will determine if a juvenile should be tried as a juvenile or an adult. If the juvenile will be tried as an adult this hearing will determine how jurisdiction and the defendant will be transferred.
Plea hearing. At this hearing, a juvenile defendant will have the opportunity to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty before the court.
Trial. A judge will hear testimony, evidence, and arguments from the state and the juvenile’s criminal defense attorney.
Sentencing hearing. If the juvenile is convicted, a sentencing hearing will be held to determine an appropriate criminal punishment.
What are the Possible Criminal Penalties for a Juvenile Crime?
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There are a number of penalties that can be imposed when a juvenile is convicted of a crime in juvenile court. Many of these penalties are designed to rehabilitate and educate juveniles, and to prevent any future criminal behavior. Possible criminal penalties for juvenile crimes in Chicago include:
- Verbal warnings;
- Fines and restitution;
- Mandatory counseling;
- Community service;
- Probation;
- Electronic monitoring;
- House arrest;
- Boot camp;
- Incarceration in a Juvenile Detention Facility; and/or
- Incarceration in a Cook County Jail or Illinois State prison.
Hiring a Chicago juvenile criminal defense attorney to handle your case will increase your chances of securing alternative sentence options. These options are less harsh than traditional methods of punishment and can significantly help a juvenile offender get back on track in life. Contact the Kostopoulos Law Group today to learn more.
Expunging a Juvenile Criminal Record
In recent years, Illinois has made it significantly easier to expunge juvenile criminal records. When a record is expunged your criminal record will no longer reflect that you were arrested, charged, and/or convicted of that crime. This will make it easier to get a job, rent an apartment, and enroll in school. Certain juvenile offenses cannot be expunged because they are believed to be extremely violent and dangerous. Criminal records that may not be expunged include first-degree murder, felony sex offenses, driving under the influence of alcohol, and reckless driving.
If you have been arrested, charged, and/or convicted of a juvenile crime in Chicago and may be eligible for expungement, contact the Kostopoulos Law Group today. We can help to make your future less stressful by petitioning the court for an expungement.
Experienced Chicago Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorneys
Have you or someone you love been arrested and/or charged with a juvenile crime in Chicago? If so, contact Chicago criminal defense attorney Gus Kostopoulos today for immediate legal assistance. Early intervention in a juvenile criminal case is essential to a positive outcome, so it is important to call us as soon as you can. We will fight to keep all criminal charges in juvenile court and avoid any serious and life-changing penalties. Call us today to set up your free consultation.
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