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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 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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15 Sep, 2021 by Eric
Coercion, manipulation, unprofessionalism. Just a few terms that fit nicely with Kristine.
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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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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.
