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Brooklyn Juvenile Attorneys

Compassionate Legal Help for Young People

Our children mean everything to us, and we’ll do anything for them. When a child gets involved with the law in New York, they need a lawyer who can listen to them, speak loudly and clearly for them, and at least get them a second chance if they’ve made a mistake — everyone needs a second chance at some point; some need a third and fourth.

If your child has had a run-in with the law, the law firm of Stoll, Glickman & Bellina, LLP,  will give him the best chance he’s got at putting it behind him.  We are clear eyed and realistic about how the system treats our children in New York City.  Cops are patrolling the halls of our schools. This is a system that often criminalizes behavior that in other places is treated as a disciplinary issue.

Family Court, ironically, is a terrible place for a child.  Our Brooklyn juvenile attorneys understand what the system is doing to our children, and we understand how to best get our children out from under it.

Contact a juvenile defense attorney at Stoll, Glickman & Bellina, LLP, online or call 718-852-3710.

The Juvenile System Is Different — We Understand It

The law is complex concerning what offenses children can be prosecuted for in what courts, and at what ages. We know the ins and outs of the law concerning “youthful offenders,” “juvenile offenders” and “juvenile delinquents.” We know Criminal Court, Supreme Court and Family Court, and have extraordinary successes in every one of those venues. We have a deep understanding for when it’s best to take a case on head on, and when it’s best to try to work out a program for our clients — there are most certainly times when one is preferable over the other.

We also have had great success in defending students in school suspension hearings, and know the ins and outs of the processes the Department of Education employs when they’re trying to suspend your child. Not only is a suspension hearing important in its own right, but it can be an invaluable place to explore the charges against your child in preparation for the criminal case.

Your Best Defense in Family Court or Criminal Court

It is extraordinarily important to understand that each venue has its pros and cons when it comes to defending your child and giving her the best shot at getting the case behind her.

Additionally, of course, your child’s day to day life comes into play. In defending a child, we must sometimes improve her school performance, her hobbies, her general commitment to leading a productive life. We know the programs that may give your child a shot, and we know the programs that are little more than stopovers on the way to jail, and we will advise you every step of the way.

Family Court: If a child is under 16 and charged with a less serious crime, the case likely will be heard in Family Court.  Family Court, though designed to be rehabilitative, can in practice be more punishing than an adult court, with less freedom.  There is no guarantee of a speedy trial and sometimes juveniles are locked up in juvenile facilities while their case drags on piecemeal for months on end. Programs that appear favorable can end up being the worst thing for your child. It cannot be overstated that every case must be individually and carefully evaluated.

Juveniles in Supreme Court: If a child is under 16 and is charged with a felony crime (for example, robbery or first-degree assault), the case may be handled in a special part of Supreme Court.

Adult Criminal Court: A young person who is 16, 17 or 18 can find their case heard in Criminal Court, and may be eligible for “Youthful Offender” treatment, which means they wouldn’t have a criminal record from the proceedings. We defend young adults in criminal cases.

School Board Hearings

Juvenile crimes that occur during school hours at school or on school grounds can result in a child being suspended or expelled from school. Juvenile defense attorneys Nicole Bellina and Andrew Stoll have represented young people in school suspension hearings at the New York City Department of Education.

At the school suspension hearing the burden is on the school to prove the student’s wrongdoing.  Thus, the school must bring witnesses or evidence to be heard against the student.  The student, too, has the right to call witnesses or present evidence on her behalf. A hearing officer takes testimony and a recommendation is made as to whether the child should be suspended for a period of time, transferred to a different school, or expelled altogether.

Sometimes the school will not want to go through with a hearing and will try to negotiate with the parents to transfer the child to another school, or to accept some other disposition. Sometimes this is in the best interest of the child; sometimes it is not. Do not accept any settlement of such a matter until you have considered every angle.  Our attorneys know the important things to consider, including how the the hearing affects the criminal matter.

Defense Against a Wide Range of Criminal Charges

We have represented juveniles and young adults against all types of criminal charges, including:

  • Drug possession and drug sales
  • Underage alcohol use and underage drunk driving
  • Shoplifting, petty theft, auto theft, robbery and burglary
  • Defacing public property, destruction of public property and other property crimes
  • Assault
  • Sex crimes

Call for a Free Consultation

Contact a New York drug and alcohol possession attorney today for youthful offender defense. We are available during regular business hours and by appointment.

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