When Your Child's Future Is At Stake
San Mateo, California, Juvenile Defense Attorney
For those new to the adult justice system, legal processes and procedures are confusing enough, but usually at least somewhat familiar. The juvenile justice system, however, operates under completely different rules than the adult system, and can be overwhelming for even the most mature minor child.
Some major differences between the juvenile criminal justice system and the adult system are that the juvenile courts offer no right to a jury trial and, if your child has been arrested, you have no right to free him or her by posting bail. Unfortunately, the differences are significant enough that confusion regarding juvenile courts procedures could result in missed opportunities to help protect your child's rights or to get them released from custody.
We have helped hundreds of families navigate the juvenile justice system, and get their children back on track. We understand that, as a parent, you may fear that your child may be taken from you, placed in foster care or in the home of a relative, end up in juvenile hall, or face a lifetime of educational, housing and career related consequences.
We help by defending your child the way they deserve -- with compassion, commitment and skill. Regardless of whether your child is facing allegations of:
- A drug or alcohol offense
- Shoplifting
- Assault
- Delinquency/truancy
- A sex crime
- Gang-related crimes
- Vandalism
- Graffiti tagging
We handle the defense of all juvenile charges, and we do so by investing the time to learn about each child's unique situation. We want to know your child's background, whether there are any extenuating circumstances (such as fear for his or her own safety or the safety of another person if your child didn't participate in a criminal act) and what your child's plans for the future are. We work with minors and alleged juvenile offenders holistically, addressing issues relating to family dynamics, self-esteem, any possible abuse or violence in the home, gang activity in the neighborhood and any problems they may be having in school.
Our juvenile clients have a low recidivism rate our presence, and our taking the time to really listen to them, is genuinely helping them get their lives back on track. While we cannot guarantee any specific result for your child's case, you can feel confident that we will protect your child's rights and future. Countless letters from juvenile clients and their parents detailing how we have made a difference in their lives speak to our track record of success handling these cases.
Contact the Law Office of Charles B. Smith Today
If your child faces juvenile criminal charges, a criminal record or expulsion, contact a firm with strong roots in the San Mateo community, and a caring staff who all have children. We truly understand the consequences that your child faces and how vitally important it is to mount an aggressive and holistic defense from the start. We accept credit cards as payment for our legal services, keep the lines of communication open with our clients by remaining accessible to clients after hours, and offer free initial consultations to every potential client. We are conveniently located in San Mateo . You can contact our office online or call us at 650-425-7703.
