Orlando Juvenile Defense Lawyer
A juvenile crime conviction can have a major impact on your life, beyond age 18. If you face juvenile charges in Florida, you still have the chance to take control, get the juvenile defense you deserve, and plan for your future. Juvenile defense attorney Jeanette Dejuras Bigney protects the rights of minors in all Florida state courts, including school hearings and delinquency hearings. Dedicated to juvenile defense, she will help you understand your options today.
Dedicated to Defending Juveniles
Contact Jeanette Dejuras Bigney
Criminal law matters affecting minors continue to have consequences for years to come, even after the 18th birthday. There is a wide misconception that all your past transgressions go away after you become a legal adult, but that is not the case. If you fail to protect your rights today, it could have consequences for years to come.
Focusing on the practice of juvenile defense, attorney Jeanette Bigney is familiar with the Florida juvenile court system and the challenges facing her clients. She can help you fight your charges and find alternative sentencing options available for juvenile offenders. She handles juvenile defense for minors who face a variety of charges, including:
- Possession of alcohol
- Assault and battery
- Criminal mischief and vandalism
- Drugs - possession, use, under the influence, sale and delivery
- Burglary and Robbery
- Sex offenses and misconduct
- Theft and shoplifting
- Trespass
- Traffic offenses including reckless driving
- Tourist crimes
- Violation of probation
- Weapons, including guns and knives
Many minors facing charges in Florida juvenile court face other obstacles as a result of their alleged crime, such as trouble with school authorities. Attorney Bigney can also handle your juvenile delinquency or school hearing.
The Juvenile Assessment Center and secure detention
If your child has been arrested law enforcement will transport him or her to the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC). The Orange County J.A.C. is located at 823 W. Central Boulevard in Orlando and the Seminole County J.A.C. is located at 181 Bush Loop in Sanford. The J.A.C. is a receiving and processing facility for accused juvenile offenders. If needed, the facility will determine if medical attention needs to be provided for the child.
The seriousness of the crime determines if the child will be released to his parent or guardian, or if he will be detained. Nonetheless, the child will likely have a court appearance within twenty-four (24) hours. If the child is detained, he will be housed at the Juvenile Detention Center (J.D.C.). The Orange County J.D.C. is located at 2800 S. Bumby Avenue in Orlando (see also http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Detention/Facilities/Orange.html for more information about the Orange County J.D.C. or other county locations).
For other J.A.C. locations, go to http://www.djj.state.fl.us/probation/jac_contacts.html
Custody or Detention Hearings
The Courts will hear an arrested child's case soon after the arrest. These juvenile hearings are conducted at the Juvenile Justice Center. The Orange County Juvenile Justice Center is located at 2000 E. Michigan Street in Orlando and the Seminole County is located at 190 Bush Boulevard in Sanford. Present at these hearings are the judge, a Department of Juvenile Justice (D.J.J.) representative, an Assistant State Attorney, and if retained, a defense attorney. Prior to the hearing the D.J.J. office prepares a Risk Assessment to determine if the child should remain in secure detention. Some of the considerations in computing a Risk Assessment include:
- The nature of the crime;
- Child's prior illegal conduct;
- Safety of the public;
- And safety of the victim.
In most cases, a child can only be detained for twenty-one (21) days. However, if the Office of the State Attorney can indicate they have a good reason the detention can be prolonged. Unlike adult criminal cases, a child with a pending delinquency matter cannot "bond out", or post a monetary surety. An experienced delinquency attorney like Jeanette Bigney can argue for your child's release at a his detention hearing. Contact Attorney Jeanette Bigney to represent your child at this hearing and throughout the duration of your child's case.
In addition to discussing whether the child should be released, the judge will most likely set the case for a future court date. Additionally, there are several types of hearings explained below.
Arraignment
An Arraignment is formal in-court notification of what criminal offense the child is charged with. Prior to the Arraignment, the Office of the State Attorney reviews police reports, witness accounts and other evidence provided by law enforcement to determine what criminal charges, if any, should be filed. Once a decision ismade about criminal charges, the Office of the State Attorney files a written Petition. The petition is what the Judge relies upon during Arraignments.
A delinquency attorney can also review evidence, and seek her own evidence, prior to arraignment. In some cases, your child's attorney can present information to the Office of the State Attorney which can result in a no bill, or decision not to file charges against a child. By hiring an attorney prior to your child's arraignment there is a good chance that you and your child's appearance can be waived in court.
Adjudicatory Hearing
An Adjudicatory Hearing, or trial, is the most substantial date in a juvenile delinquency proceeding. This hearing is an opportunity for the State Attorney to present evidence to prove "beyond a reasonable doubt" that the child committed the alleged criminal act. These hearings take place before a "trier of fact" or judge; juvenile delinquency trials do not have juries. The State Attorney's evidence can include witness testimony, physical evidence (such as photos and contraband), and forensic evidence. A defense attorney can cross-examine any evidence presented and perhaps contradict what is presented. The defense attorneys, like Jeanette Bigney, can also present evidence that may exonerate your child.
The judge can set the case for an adjudicatory hearing at Arraignment, status hearing or Detention Hearing. In some cases the case can arrive at this critical hearing in as little as twenty-one (21) days after the detention hearing, or post-arrest. Clearly, there are advantages to having an attorney at the inception of the case. Not are resolved with a trial; more frequently child can enter plea, and in some situations, the Office of the State Attorney or the Judge can dismiss the case.
Disposition Hearing
A Disposition Hearing is the closing hearing in a juvenile criminal case and takes place after being found guilty after trial or after a child enters a plea of either guilty or no contest. During this hearing the Judge sanctions, or sentences, a child for the crime committed.
Disposition hearing can be on the same day of a plea or trial. Usually when the case is set for a future disposition date, the Court, State and/or child's attorney requested a Pre-Disposition Report (P.D.R). A P.D.R. is a document prepared by the Department of Juvenile Justice and helps the Court sentence the child. The Department of Juvenile Justice considers the child's mental and physical health, education, family situation, past delinquency history, the present crime and remorsefulness to prepare the report. The P.D.R. also includes a sentencing recommendation. The Office of the State Attorney sometimes waives P.D.R.
Contact
Attorney Bigney's Orlando offices are located just a few minutes from the Orange County Juvenile Courthouse. Available weekdays from 8:30 to 5, she offers weekend and evening hours by appointment. Contact her today for a free initial consultation regarding your juvenile defense.