Juvenile law is the branch of criminal law that deals with persons under the age of 18. The Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act defines juvenile delinquency as any act that is otherwise a crime, but is committed by someone under 18 years of age, also referred to as a juvenile. The Federal Act sets forth rules with which state laws must comply in regard to juvenile court procedures and punishments.

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Colorado’s Juvenile Law Jurisdiction

In Colorado, the juvenile justice system and juvenile court have exclusive
jurisdiction, concerning a juvenile 10 years of age or older who violates:

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• Any federal or state law (except non-felony state traffic, game and fish, and parks and recreation laws or regulations)

• Certain laws concerning tobacco products
• Certain laws concerning ethyl alcohol and marijuana
• County or municipal ordinances, the penalty of which may be a jail sentence of more than ten days with the exception of traffic ordinances

However, there are offenses that may warrant the removal of a child’s case to district (adult) court. If the juvenile court waives or relinquishes its jurisdiction, by way of direct file or transfer to district court, the juvenile may be tried as an adult, depending on age, the nature of the crime in question and the juvenile’s history of delinquency. With a focus on the use of transfer to adult court as a means of addressing juvenile crime in Colorado, prosecutors have been given broad powers in deciding who is fit to be tried in juvenile court.

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Our Expertise

At Collins, Liu & Associates, LLP, located in Greeley, our juvenile law attorneys offer trusted guidance for parents and legal defense for minors charged with a variety of juvenile offenses in Weld and surrounding counties and towns including Ft. Collins, Loveland, Sterling and Fort Morgan. We represent juveniles in cases ranging from serious felonies to misdemeanors and municipal court violations, as well as waiver and direct file cases.

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Our attorneys’ work in the area of juvenile law regularly involves, but is not limited to:​

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        Delinquency

        Assault

        Theft

        Drug & Alcohol Offenses

        Minor in Possession

        Traffic Violations

        Truancy

        Records Expungement

        Direct File

 

Our attorneys have developed a unique skill set in the area of juvenile law and are not only adept in working with state agencies, the courts and families, but are also are well versed in the various sentencing options your child may face such as juvenile diversion, probation or commitment to the Colorado Department of Youth Corrections and Youth Offender Services.

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Legal Help

When a minor child in your family is in trouble with the law, you will need strong advocacy and trusted legal guidance. At Collins, Liu & Associates, LLP, our juvenile lawyers fully understand that you will be upset, may be frightened, and you will have questions about your parental rights, the rights of your child, and the legal remedies available to you. To help relieve your anxiety, we ensure that you get the information you need about your child’s situation as quickly as possible, explain your legal options and protect your rights under the law.

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The Colorado State Attorney has a significant amount of discretion filing of charges against children 15 -17 years of age. If your child’s age falls in that range, you can rest assured that as your attorney we will work diligently to keep the case in juvenile court. And, if the case goes to adult court, we know the appropriate juvenile sanctions with which to approach the court and ensure the case is resolved with the child receiving proper sentencing.

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Blending broad experience in prosecution and defense, with in-depth knowledge of the Colorado justice system and the local judiciary, our juvenile law attorneys provide clients with a level of expertise that helps make a significant difference in achieving the most positive outcome possible in each case.

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When you need legal help with a juvenile law matter, our attorneys stand ready to take your side in the legal arena. Call our law firm at (970) 336-6499 to schedule a confidential consultation to learn how our experience can benefit you and your child.