Juvenile Proceedings

Juvenile Proceedings

In today's society children are exposed to violence, graphic sexual images and drugs to an unprecedented extent through the media, their peers, and in their neighborhoods.

The function of the Juvenile Court is to balance the safety of society with the best plan for remediation and rehabilitation of the minor offender.

In performing this balance, the courts review numerous factors in assessing the best possible dispositional alternatives for the child for example:

1. The public interest to be served, including the impact on the victim and society, as well as the nature and circumstances of the particular offense;

2. The adequacy and duration of dispositional alternatives;

3. Whether the child is amenable to treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation, taking into account the child's age, mental capacity, degree or criminal sophistication, previous record, and other relevant factors.

After reviewing the totality of the circumstances, pre-adjudicatory intervention might be offered by the prosecution and the court, whereby proceedings could be suspended for several months and the charges dismissed upon successful completion of special conditions.

The consequences of being found guilty in Juvenile Court can be significant. For example, if a minor is found to be delinquent he or she will have a criminal record; the child's school will be notified; he or she may be assessed fines, costs and restitution; the child's driving privileges may be revoked; or, the minor could be committed to an institution.

It is important to have an attorney represent a family through this process so as to ensure that the optimum outcome in each individual case is achieved.

Goldsman Law Office
1500 Walnut Street, Suite 700
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Phone: (215) 496-9546 • E-mail • Fax: (215) 496-9548

Servicios del intérprete disponibles: (215) 749-0007