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Michele A. Smith Law Office, L.L.C.

Juvenile Law

Juvenile criminal and traffic offenses are handled differently from adult criminal and traffic offenses.  Juvenile offenses are handled through the juvenile judicial system and the juvenile courts   have jurisdiction over matters concerning traffic violations, child delinquency, neglect,  truancy,  and running away.  Many juveniles are referred to juvenile courts by law enforcement officers, while others are referred by school officials, social services agencies, neighbors, and even parents for behavior or conditions that are determined to require intervention by the formal system for social control.

Once a juvenile is under juvenile court disposition the court may retain jurisdiction until the juvenile legally becomes an adult.  At times following the release of the juvenile, the juvenile is  often ordered to a period of probation (a.k.a. aftercare) which is similar to parole supervision for adult offenders. Juvenile offenders who violate the conditions of aftercare may have their aftercare revoked resulting in the juvenile being recommitted to a juvenile detention facility.