Portland, Oregon: Defense of Juvenile Criminal Offenses
When a minor gets in trouble with the law, the accepted wisdom is that the juvenile justice system is kinder than the criminal justice system for adults – that it focuses on rehabilitation and re-education of youthful offenders, rather than on punishment.
In our experience, that is not always true. Minors charged with juvenile offenses are just as much in need of experienced criminal defense assistance as their adult counterparts. A minor found to have committed a juvenile offense can be placed on probation, in a youth correctional facility or state training school. Minors who are accused of committing more serious crimes (often called Measure 11 crimes) are often automatically transferred to adult court – where the potential penalties are the same as those faced by adult defendants. In order to more effectively represent our juvenile clients and their families we have since 2006 associated with Thomas J. Hanrahan, whose previous employment experience included practicing for Oregon's renowned Juvenile Rights Project.
Although a juvenile offense is not called a “crime,” and the youth correctional facility is not called the “penitentiary,” juvenile criminal offenses are extremely serious matters. Every minor caught up in the juvenile justice system deserves to have an experienced and compassionate advocate.
Advocates for Children in the Juvenile Justice System
The law office of Raivio, Kohlmetz & Steen, P.C., has an energetic and compassionate practice representing minors charged with juvenile criminal offenses. Among our four attorneys, we have more than 70 years of combined legal experience to offer our clients and their families – and in that time we have represented hundreds of minors accused of juvenile criminal offenses.
We offer legal advocacy for children of all ages who need assistance with a juvenile court matter – in Portland or any of the surrounding Northwest Oregon communities. Our legal services are discreet and professional, our atmosphere is welcoming, and our rates are reasonable.
We are available to represent minors accused of serious juvenile offenses like drug paraphernalia possession, car theft, stealing, or assault. We also defend minors accused of so-called status offenses, like underage drinking and curfew violation.
Contact Raivio, Kohlmetz & Steen for a Free and Confidential Initial Consultation
Our law firm is committed to providing the highest-quality legal representation for reasonable rates. We are also committed to discretion and protecting our clients' privacy to the greatest extent possible as they move through the juvenile justice system.
All initial consultations are free. We will discuss fees in depth at the initial consultation and we will work with you to find a fee structure that is appropriate given the nature and complexity of the case. We can negotiate flat rate fees or hourly-rate fees, depending again on the type of case.
In all cases, we make sure our clients always understand exactly what fees and costs they will pay for our services.
If you or your child has been accused of a juvenile crime or status offense and are looking for an experienced criminal defense lawyer, contact our office today to schedule a free and confidential initial meeting. Call toll-free to 1-888-311-2016, or send us an e-mail.
