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19 Oct, 2016 by Robert espinoza
As for the few comments below providing your attorney with commitment to complete your case plan is detrimental to their ability to move through your case. I just gained sole custody of my daughter in 10 months after juat getting out of prison. Michele Holden fought for my rights while I was incarcerated and helped me achieve what I have today. Disregard the negative comments I'm proof Michele Holden can and will help anyone willing to help themselves . Thank you Michele Holden
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20 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Ms. Holden asks for multiple extensions and can not get things completed and filed in a timely manner. Time is not of the essence. It will get done when it gets done. She will keep you waiting for months and months.
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20 Mar, 2015 by Stephanie
My daughter filed for divorce and Ms. Holden was the respondent's attorney. She could not get anything filed in an acceptable time frame and we had to have his current bank information subpoenaed because she never got it. When a settlement was made, she was tasked with writing up the Consent Decree. That was 2 months ago. Repeated promises that it would be done "this week" were not kept. She then went out of town and after threatening with reporting to the Bar promised completed by end of business on March 17, 2015. It was not done. My daughter has been denied visitation until this is complete and is having to pay the respondent's medical insurance.
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22 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
This attorney was court appointed, did not keep me informed of the case nor did he even speak during any of our court proceedings! He would "assure" me of what would happen but when it came down to it he barely said two words to the court in my defense. I have a mental illness (depression) and he was HIGHLY offensive to me. Didn't return phone calls or emails in the beginning and when I finally WAS able to reach him, he said my repeated phone calls were a sign of my mental illness. I stopped calling and was not kept informed of the case at all. Months later, he made the comment that "A Beautiful Mind was a good movie and proves I can be a good parent" How insulting!! I reported this to the State Bar of Arizona and was told he would be contacting me... well I'm still waiting. If you get this lawyer appointed to you, I HIGHLY recommend requesting a new one IN THE BEGINNING! Do not trust that anything will happen in your favor as long as I have. It will not happen.
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08 Mar, 2013 by Jennifer c.
After my second hearing, I was faced with decisions and some tough realizations both during mediation and in the court room. I found Mr. Westervelt to be very quick and responsive to phone calls, emails, and questions I had (prior to, during, and after my court hearings) in my case. Mr. Westervelt was court-appointed to represent me in my case and during the last hearing, it became very clear that I was going to need to hire an attorney if I wanted to have any real chance at a fair trial. Juvenile dependency cases, I have come to find out, are among the most complex and intensive cases within the court system-definitely requiring much more time and effort than a court-appointed attorney is able to give. I hired a new attorney later that month after speaking with around 20 (literally!) I would not recommend anyone to keep with a court-appointed attorney in juvenile dependency cases unless they absolutely have no choice. These attorneys are handling your case, along with a stack of who knows how many other court-appointed client cases, and then their clients paying them out of pocket on top of it. You are dealing with a child's life and future and these attorneys have the power to impact the outcome of that case. To not give these attorneys the time they need to dedicate themselves 100% to that kind of a case should be illegal...It is not fair to the attorney, the client, and most of all, it is unfair to the child involved.
Mr. Westervelt showed to be trustworthy, responding to my emails and calls that day or the next, and seemed very knowledgeable in these types of cases. I was disappointed, however, that I did not receive minute entry copies of our hearings. Some very important issues I had brought to his attention for the past several weeks were not voiced at all during mediation or in the courtroom. During his opening argument at our last hearing, Mr. Westervelt didn't sound thoroughly prepared and was missing important documents he was referencing in his opening argument. If he had requested these from me ahead of time, I would have happily provided them. The information and references he gave were outdated and it was hard to follow his overall argument; he just wasn't ready. Assertiveness of any kind was completely absent and it was very hard to follow him.
However, in the process of trying to hire a private attorney, I did speak to many offices who were familiar with him, one of them even giving his name out as a referral. The problem is, I am not sure if the referral is due to his performance or if his name was being thrown around because he is one of the few attorneys who specialize in these types of cases (there is a very small pool of them and trust me they are hard to find!) Overall and in the short time he represented me, I found Mr. Westervelt to be a very nice man, great at following up, never any issues with trust, and certainly has knowledge in his field of practice.
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07 Jan, 2013 by Jennifer c.
As a current client of Marcus Westervelt, I would like to give my first review as my case is just in its beginning stage. I swore off lawyers about 5 years ago after an experience that emptied my savings and did nothing more than I could have done myself. It was so costly that by the time the trial rolled around, I was the one walking in without a lawyer to represent me. I had to build my case myself and prepare to not only argue my case, but also battle the other party and his lawyer. My experiences only went downhill from there with very little exception. I know nothing about being a lawyer. The one thing I have learned over the years about lawyers is that it is not so much what you know about the law (that is the most clean cut out within the job) but it is about being transparent to who is working the system and how they are getting away with it. In today's society, the most obvious factors (money, politics, character) and the less obvious (unities like the free masons, personal preferences, first impressions) are exactly those which we are caught in as we try to solve what can be a very complicated or a very simple equation, depending on how good of a lawyer you are I would imagine. That question should be simple and Marcus Westervelt is the first lawyer I have ever dealt with that initially laid it out for me. He asked me, what do you believe your case is really about?
Very simple, very clean cut...On my first impression of him, I found myself walking into a conversation where time was extremely limited and the questions on both ends were almost infinite.
Marcus kept me on track in those 15 minutes we had upon our first meeting. He walked into our meeting not only with the ability to communicate the other party's issues but also ask me what mine were. I like to believe that this was his way to answering that one simple question: What is this case really about?
I found myself rambling in my nervousness and overwhelmed in the situation alone. He was assertive to stop me and pull me back on track.
If I tried to tell him" how it was", he would remind me who the lawyer is because I believe that no one knows my case like I do, but then again I am not the lawyer and I need to be reminded of that.
I guess some may feel a bit peeved at a certain level of assertion, but I walked out of that meeting with a smile inside.
If he is this way with his clients, I have no doubts how he handles those on the opposing side.
I have visited his office and had contact with two of his staff members to date. I always get a phone call returned and his full attention on my case and my case only.
If he cannot focus on me, then we schedule a time that works for both of us.
So far, he has not been flaky or careless of my case to any extent.
He does not hesitate for a moment to give his honest opinion even if it is the last thing I want to hear. He just lays it out there.
We have some time to go before my case concludes, but I am very confident that I finally have representation that doesn't make me simply feel like just another form of job security for someone else in this country.
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07 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Do not hire David Polan to represent you if you want an aggressive attorney that will advocate for you! I no longer trusted David when I had to do the leg work in my case. I had to tell him what I wanted said and argued in court instead of him doing his job. His communication is horrible and the only way to get a timely response is to call the office. While he may be knowledgeable in family law none of his actions proved to me that he cared what was happening in my case and that I just had to deal with it. I was not informed of happenings in my case to the degree I would expect from an attorney. I would expect detailed information and would only receive general information. Bottom line is that he did not care to put time or energy into representing my interest.
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11 Mar, 2015 by Zenaida
I have had Mr. Polan twice and by far is a amazing Lawyer. Best way to describe Mr. Polan, he is the Dr House of lawyers!! He knows what he is doing and will not sugar coat it. He is caring. Be honest with him and h. Will fight for you!
If you want someone to do their job amd fight for your family Mr. Polan is your guy. Hes there to do his job right. His secretary as well is caring and i promise these two will not let you down!!
Thank you David Polan for all you have done for my family!
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06 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
I had a difficult and emotional situation and at our initial consultation, she was confident and it seemed like she would be a great advocate for me. After hiring her, she was never available, and her assistant was the only person in communication. This person advised me and when I questioned, shared my concerns, or asked for the attorney I hired, the assistant wouldn't put me through or I wouldn't get responses from my attorney, and she was condescending. The attorney was never available until just before a court hearing and she was always dismissive of my concerns. She acquiesced to the other side repeatedly, and I would leave feeling confused and further hurt by the situation. At the end, she sent me an exorbitant bill for minimal work done that was shocking. Her results were not only the opposite of what I expected but also terribly disheartening and not fair in my situation.
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16 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Ms Harris is the worst lawyer you can hire. Once she is hired, she will dodge your calls and have you work solely with Pam, her abusive paralegal that only cares about her dogs. Lynn Harris is fantastic at making false promises and manipulating you to hire her. She will tell you that she will fight like a bulldog for you in court and do the exact opposite. She definitely knows how to throw a show to make you feel like she has your back, unfortunately, it’s only a show to get your money. She told me she’d fight for me. Instead, she collaborated with the opposing council against me, and later dropped me as a client! By the end of my dealings with Mrs. Harris, she did nothing she said she would do in regards to my case; besides BILL ME! ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS!
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05 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Do not hire her : after all said an done did not help . No child support for me . Just gave me another bill to pay Hers.
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27 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
She thoroughly botched the job of PC when she was assigned, spending many months and thousands of dollars, ultimately failing to protect my children.
I had to go to court to have her removed from the case early and then spend more time and money unravelling the damage she did. Ultimately I prevailed and we are on a better track, but in my opinion Nanette had a hard time transitioning from being a Judge to a Parenting Coordinator. She brought very little that was productive to the table.
I am writing this review in lieu of filing a formal complaint with the State Bar, I honestly don't have the energy, or enough bitterness to do this woman professional harm. She is in the twilight of her career and I'm certain there is a role for her somewhere, I just wouldn't engage her as a Parenting Coordinator.
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07 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
This woman tried to annul my marriage never filed anything on my behalf and spent more time researching my fiance educational background because he was smarter than her. She brags about her experience and rants how broken the juvenile court system is... yet she is a main part of the problem. She withheld motions from me allowing DCS to get a default order. She's lost her way somewhere down the road. Regardless of what my now husband says this woman is garbage.
She was triggered over my fiance, now husband. This woman has some baggage in her personal life that she'll bring to your case. State Bar dismissed my complaint. They protect their own. They're a joke
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13 Dec, 2022 by Jennifer
Firstly she didn't even show up to the first court hearing but at the second one when I did finally meet her her exact words to me were "it is not my job to make sure you and your kids' voices are hurt it is simply my job to push you along to do whatever the courts want so that you can get your children back. Now I would never end up in this situation but if I did I would do whatever it took to get my daughter back. So whether or not you're right or wrong doesn't matter you just need to do whatever they want you to and then your kids will come home."
To sum it all up at the end of the case two and a half years later I sent her an email and I told her that I should be reporting her to the bar because I still had every single email ever sent received and still drafted between the two of us as well as the caseworker and the caseworker supervisor... What was her response? A couple days later her response was "I apologize for taking so long to respond. I was a little taken aback by your email. what do you say we meet up for coffee -off the record- and start over."
My kids were sexually abused in the placement house that they were put it took her a month to get me in front of the judge for an emergency change of custody and when the judge told me I needed to keep my mouth shut about it or else he detained me and I'd lose my rights right then and there my attorney looked at me and nodded in agreement with the judge telling me to just be quiet and say yes sir.
Marea de-mosely did not defend my rights nor did she defend my children's rights. If she would have just looked at the case, the paperwork, and then done her job, (been true to the oath that they take) then my kids would not have been subjected to the abuse that they have been subjected to since being removed from my care. I passed the initial drug test disproving the accusations against me and even though I had already kicked my ex-husband out and filed for divorce by the time CPS knocked on my door because we were still legally married I had to deal with the b******* and this so-called attorney did not defend me and my children she did not allow me to protect my children she is the worst. Not to mention when I said I wanted to fire her she told me I could not fire her. If you get this attorney assigned to you by the courts if you love your children or you want to try and win your case I suggest that you immediately demand a different attorney
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22 Sep, 2013 by Koko a.
This is the single most horrible attorney I have ever seen in my life, This attorney improperly advised me of trial outcome caused me to submit to allegations that were untrue and has almost caused me to lose my son. I would not trust her as far as I could throw her. She is liar that lacks experience.
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13 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
Gates supports the radical leftist usurper Kamala Harris for president. That in itself speaks volumes as to the quality of legal services you will receive. Complete incompetence is just the tip of the iceberg. Look elsewhere for legal help and vote Trump/Vance 2024.
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16 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
This lawyer represented me. She was not "for" me. She was not fair and impartial towards the handling of my case. She did not to her "homework" so to speak. I would NOT recommend this lawyer.
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31 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
Ms. Gates (aka Heavenly Gates...S.Marie Looney Gates...Stephanie Gates) represented me. She did not find out all the facts of the matter that she was supposed to help me with. She seemed to be more interested in making herself look good to her peers than in looking out for my interests. I would definitely not recommend her.
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15 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
This lawyer is horrible she does not know how to do her job she's on drugs iv seen her do coke one time when I met up with her then when she was representing my family she had implied that she would rather work with white children simply because her father is a nazi member I request to have her removed as soon as possible she is still representing children in dcs and has not been fired yet she's just horrible and needs to be drug tested and arrested for being on coke while dealing with innocent children
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20 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
This lawyer never turned in ANY of my evidence, not a shred. She butchered my case, pretending to do her job to my face but really all she did was harm my case. I was innocent from day one and had black and white paper proof yet every single document I gave her didn't make it to the court room or any plc. This is not the end of this either, because of her misconduct many many bad situations had come up & they should have never been to begin with. If she had done her job things would have gone fine but she did not do her job and all it did was cause major turmoil & severe damage. Beware. This is not an attorney with the clients best interest at mind. She likes to please her friends in the court house, even if they are going up against her own clients! She did nothing I asked, filed no motions I needed and acted like she knew no better. Well she should know that what she did isn't ok. If she doesn't, she just might some day soon. I hope.
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15 Sep, 2021 by Eric
Coercion, manipulation, unprofessionalism. Just a few terms that fit nicely with Kristine.
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04 Sep, 2023 by Christian
I retained Salvatore for a child custody case and this guy did absolutely nothing! I stand corrected, he did take my money! He charged me for hours of work that he did not do! Literally this guy did not do one thing for me and charged me $1,600! I confronted him on this and he basically hid from me! This guy has no integrity and is all about the money! He will not do the work but he will take your money! This guy gives a bad name to attorneys and he is a real scumbag!
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28 Mar, 2017 by Tom
Ms Liverence was involved in a case while my juvenile son was being treated in a halfway house. She was uncooperative and unhelpful. She fought me at every turn, going so far as to ask the judge to hold ME in contenpt. Of course that didn't happen and eventually the treatment team listened to me and my son has turned out to be just find. I would not trust this person.
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06 Jul, 2019 by Guilty until prover innocent
When case was made. I didn’t see this guy until the day of my court hearing. How is a case to be managed without at least one sit down and initial conversation of what happens and what the plan is or may be
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08 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
She is guilty of professional, misconduct, criminal activity with the department of child safety knowingly allowing perjury and falsified court and public documents continue without correcting the actual FACTS.Child Endangerment fraud corruption and abuse of federal money for personal gain ect.
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30 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I was referred to Bernita Clark from a friend at church. I had just moved to Arizona with my daughter whom I’ve had custody of. I was told she would fight for me and understands my financial situation. I agreed to pay $200.00 a month until my case was complete. The case was simple, my daughters mom had been gone for two years with no contact with our child. Bernita was given emails with my stating she didn’t want the child and was on probation for a DUI. Before went in front of the judge, Bernita meet with my daughters my explaining what was going to happen in the court room giving her tips. When we appeared in front of the judge Bernita did not object or say any words but “I agree”. So the Jude ruled split custody’s and now we have to modify the order because law informent stated the order was not clear and there needs to be a modification. Feeling hopeless she took advantage of me knowing I was desperate and needed help. I have to hirer another lawyer to fix my case. My daughters step father emotionally abuses her daily and I can’t do anything. Please seek other options. She’s not in it for the passion but the pay check.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Juvenile Law Lawyer Can Do for You
A juvenile law lawyer specializes in legal issues involving minors, including those facing criminal charges, child welfare matters, or status offenses (like truancy or curfew violations). Juvenile law lawyers aim to protect the rights of minors and advocate for rehabilitation rather than punishment in criminal cases. They also help families navigate child custody, abuse, neglect cases, and other legal matters involving children.
If your child is facing criminal charges, or you are involved in a child welfare case, a juvenile law lawyer can help protect your child’s rights and work toward the most favorable outcome.
When Should I Hire a Juvenile Law Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a juvenile law lawyer in the following situations where minors are involved in legal matters:
- Juvenile criminal charges: If your child is accused of a crime, such as theft, assault, or drug offenses, a juvenile lawyer can represent them in juvenile court, advocating for leniency and alternatives to detention.
- Delinquency proceedings: A lawyer can help navigate delinquency charges, defending your child’s rights and seeking rehabilitative outcomes like counseling, probation, or diversion programs instead of incarceration.
- Status offenses: If your child has committed a status offense, such as truancy, running away, or underage drinking, a lawyer can help you resolve these issues in juvenile court, often focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
- School disciplinary issues: If your child is facing school suspensions, expulsions, or other disciplinary actions, a lawyer can help protect their educational rights and challenge any unfair or unlawful school policies.
- Child protective services (CPS) investigations: If your family is being investigated by CPS for alleged abuse, neglect, or dependency, a lawyer can represent you and protect your child’s rights throughout the investigation.
- Custody disputes: A lawyer can help in cases involving child custody or guardianship disputes, ensuring the child’s best interests are prioritized and advocating for the child’s rights.
- Emancipation: If your child seeks legal emancipation from their parents or guardians, a lawyer can assist in navigating the legal process and help the child understand their rights and responsibilities.
Hiring a lawyer early in the legal process ensures that your child’s rights are protected and that the best possible outcomes are pursued.
What Does a Juvenile Law Lawyer Do?
A juvenile law lawyer provides various services to help minors and their families navigate the legal system. Their responsibilities often include:
- Representing minors in court: A lawyer will represent your child in juvenile court, advocating for their rights and seeking rehabilitative outcomes rather than punitive measures.
- Filing motions and legal paperwork: The lawyer handles all necessary legal filings, including petitions, responses, and motions to dismiss charges or suppress evidence.
- Negotiating with prosecutors: In some cases, a lawyer can negotiate plea deals or diversion programs that prevent the child from having a permanent criminal record or serving time in detention.
- Advising on rehabilitation programs: Juvenile law lawyers often focus on alternatives to incarceration, such as counseling, community service, or probation, helping minors avoid long-term legal consequences.
- Handling CPS and child welfare cases: If your family is involved in a CPS investigation or child welfare case, the lawyer can advocate for your child’s safety and well-being, ensuring that their rights are upheld.
- Defending minors against school discipline: A lawyer can help challenge unfair or excessive disciplinary actions taken by schools, ensuring that your child’s educational rights are protected.
- Advising families on legal options: A lawyer will explain the juvenile legal process to families, offering advice on the best legal strategies and what to expect during the case.
How Are Juvenile Law Lawyers Paid?
Juvenile law lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the time involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many juvenile law lawyers charge by the hour, with rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Flat fee: For simpler cases, such as status offenses or school disciplinary hearings, a lawyer may charge a flat fee that covers all legal services related to the case.
- Retainer: In more complex cases, such as defending against serious criminal charges or handling a long-term CPS investigation, a lawyer may require a retainer, which is an upfront payment billed against as they work on the case.
- Sliding scale or pro bono services: Some juvenile law lawyers offer sliding scale fees based on income or may provide pro bono (free) services for families who cannot afford to pay full legal fees, especially in cases involving child welfare or delinquency.
Discuss the lawyer’s fee structure during your consultation to understand the total cost and payment options.
How Much Does a Juvenile Law Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a juvenile law lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the time involved. General cost estimates include:
- Juvenile criminal cases: Legal fees for defending a minor in juvenile criminal cases can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the severity of the charges and whether the case goes to trial.
- Status offenses: For cases involving minor offenses such as truancy or underage drinking, legal fees typically range from $1,500 to $5,000.
- CPS or child welfare cases: Legal fees for representing families in CPS investigations or child welfare cases can range from $2,000 to $8,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
- School disciplinary hearings: Legal fees for representing students in school-related issues may range from $1,000 to $3,500, depending on the legal work required.
Make sure to get a clear estimate of costs during your initial consultation to ensure you understand the full scope of fees and services.
Top Questions to Ask a Juvenile Law Lawyer
Before hiring a juvenile law lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the experience and expertise to handle your child’s case effectively. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with juvenile law cases?
Make sure the lawyer has handled cases similar to yours, whether it’s juvenile delinquency, child custody, or CPS investigations. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, offers flat fees, or requires a retainer. Ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my child’s case?
Ask the lawyer for an honest assessment of the case, including potential challenges and likely outcomes. -
How long will the process take?
Juvenile cases can vary in duration, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last and what factors might affect the timeline. -
Will you personally handle my child’s case?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of the case. Make sure you know who will be managing the case and representing your child in court. -
What rights does my child have?
Ask the lawyer to explain your child’s legal rights, including their rights during police questioning, school disciplinary actions, and court proceedings.
How to Check the Credibility of a Juvenile Law Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable juvenile law lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for juvenile law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in juvenile law and have successfully handled cases similar to yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate in juvenile cases.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on juvenile law matters.
- Check for certifications or memberships: Look for memberships in organizations like the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) or certifications in juvenile law, which can indicate a lawyer’s dedication to representing minors.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a juvenile law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Court documents: Bring any legal documents related to your child’s case, such as summons, complaints, or court orders.
- School records: Provide any relevant school records, including disciplinary reports, attendance records, and communications from school officials.
- CPS or investigation reports: If your case involves child welfare, bring any reports or documentation from CPS or other investigating agencies.
- Timeline of events: Prepare a detailed timeline of events related to your child’s legal issue, including interactions with authorities or school officials.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions about the legal process, your child’s rights, and potential outcomes for the case.
Being well-prepared will help the lawyer assess your child’s situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice tailored to your needs.
