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21 Aug, 2024 by Inderjit khera
We were referred to Rob by Joel Bonjour regarding a life threatening injury.
Rob did an excellent job in getting us the best possible settlement. We loved our experience working with Rob.
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20 Jun, 2024 by Ekkehard
From the first consultation to the final settlement the team at Golden State Lawyers was supportive and professional. They made a challenging time in my life much easier to handle..
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11 Jun, 2024 by Peter sparke
Golden State Lawyers went above and beyond to ensure my case was handled efficiently. Their attention to detail and dedication was evident from start to finish...
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01 May, 2024 by Mandip malhi
Elham Sadri is one of the most well-rounded, compassionate attorneys I have come across. Thank you for being a part of our journey, Elham. Wishing you and the team nothing but success!
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18 Mar, 2024 by Olivier galgani
Kara Foster is a smart attorney with good insight and knowledge of the law and what can be done. I have worked with her before and both times have come out to my satisfaction. Thank you Foster Hsu LLP.
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15 Mar, 2024 by Mahdi sadoughi
I had a wonderful experience with Sadri Law, P.C., especially with Elham. She was incredibly helpful throughout my citizenship process. Her expertise and support made the entire journey smooth and manageable. I highly recommend Sadri Law, P.C., for anyone seeking immigration assistance.
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11 Oct, 2024 by Richard
Wes took on my case and through devotion and attentiveness bore through the false and damning evidence being claimed. Through speaking with myself and others involved, he was able to see the truth and incrementally reduce the DA's position to the point where a justified dismissal was reached. Personal, honest and well liked!
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13 Sep, 2024 by Isaias ortiz
Milton from Shnider Law Firm was very informative and helpful to me. I would definitely refer them to all my friends and family.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Candice zhao
13 Sep, 2024 by Isaias ortiz
Milton from Shnider Law Firm was very informative and helpful to me. I would definitely refer them to all my friends and family.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Candice zhao
11 Sep, 2024 by U a
I called multiple law firms along with Mr. Shnider's office, and only his team talked to me like real professionals. They took notes about my case, and in an hour or so (after a hearing) Mr. Shnider called me and provided me with "free" consultation. Moreover, he kept following up with me and guided me "for free". I did not hire him (nor any other attorney), but I definitely know who to call if I need a lawyer. I am very thankful to Mr. Shnider and his great Team!
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07 Jan, 2023 by Phil
I was accused by police for abusing my son. I admit that I am a tough father but I am not the "abuser" described by the police. When I was released from jail I started seeking an attorney on AVVO. Mr. Nakano's experience drew my attention. However, my stereotype about lawyers reserved me from making immediate decision to hire him. After looking through his website, I told myself "why not give him a chance, and give yourself a chance". Because of our similar ethnic background, he could look at the situation from my perspective. Not only that, Mr. Nakano suggest me started to makeup for my mistake before the court date. He recommended Parents' Group, a group therapy that help distressed parents. In addition, he recommended me seeing professional counselor, who had taught me a lot because he had already went through the path that I am going through. Because of Mr. Nakano's help, I was dismissed of the charges by the police and was exonerated from CACI listing. Most importantly, my relationship with my son has improved. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving vacation in Disney; played retro video games and light saber duel together during Christmas Holidays. Aside from all the fun, he is still willing to follow my guidance to learn math and English daily. Thank you Mr. Nakano.
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14 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
He is absolutely an amazing lawyer! Super professional and his experience and ratings prove it all! This man successfully managed to get my case dismissed and I will forever be grateful for his services. His services are a little on the expensive side, especially for students or new college grads but with a high success rate for his cases and the years of experience under his belt, it is completely understandable. Overall, 100% would recommend.
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26 Apr, 2020 by Brian
I came to Mr Steven Nakano awhile back concerned about a possible criminal case against me regarding an alledged a hit and run on the freeway resulting in property damage. After the police contacted me and conducted their investigation it was confirmed I was not involved in any hit and run. Turns out the party who claimed I was involved was pulling an insurance scam. Steven Nakano and myself had a consultation in his office and he put me at ease that I had nothing to be concerned about. He is clearly very skilled and very professional. He is one of the best attorneys in the bay area. And I'm very thankful for him. Thank you Mr. Steven Nakano. Im confident if this case falsely accusing me would have went to trial then I would hire Mr Steven Nakano to represent me. Thank you so much again. You are a national treasure Mr. Steve Nakano.
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01 Jun, 2024 by Chloe j.
I highly recommend Attorney Luu. His professionalism, dedication, and work ethic are outstanding. I could feel he was not working for money, but he truly wanted to help me resolve my immigration case. Attorney Luu and his team are highly knowledgeable and guided me through every step of my case with patience and clarity. His team’s attention to detail and their thorough understanding of the law gave me confidence that my case would be solved for sure. Recently, my case was successfully approved. I am really grateful for all the work he and his team have put on my case.
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26 Jun, 2023 by Aakash patel
Attorney Nguyen and his team is great. They helped me with my immigration case related to H1B visa extension. I am truly grateful to them. Thank you!!
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27 Sep, 2022 by April yue
Dr. Luu and his team are very kind, responsive, and they are highly competent in what they do. I’m happy to have sought out help from him.
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5.0
22 Reviews
4.9
461 Reviews
14 Sep, 2024 by Hamlin. b
I went to The Attorney Stephanie’s office panicked and exhausted after few days the problem was happening even though I did not expect it was happening. Greatly, Stephanie understood my case and had been very helpful to encourage me. She is a very smart and professional Attorney. She made me so happy with an amazing result . I totally trust her and definitely recommend her to others.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Jenssy c.
I would like to start saying she is very experienced. From the consulting to the court date, made me feel well represented. From her team, Linda was very kind and responsive to my silly questions. Also, she is judgement free and just gave me positive advises , just listen to her opinion of your case and take it from there.
I'm very surprised how responsive she was with me , knowing she must be a very busy attorney. I did research and is exactly what others say, an excellent person and attorney.
I would keep going on and on, but is not neccesary. She is transparent anf straight forward.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Sharon garell
> GJEL was recommended by a longtime friend of the family. Jim Larsen and his team were such a pleasure to work with and achieved excellent results. Jim was very kind, thoughtful, a good listener and readily available to answer my numerous questions. I would be happy to refer him to a friend without hesitation.
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09 Sep, 2024 by Fan
We met Julia in 2017, and she has been helping us since our F1 student visa days all the way to obtaining our green card. Throughout the process, we faced many challenges, but Julia helped us overcome them one by one. She is incredibly responsible and diligent, always reminding us to submit the necessary documents promptly to ensure everything goes smoothly. We are truly grateful for her assistance, which has allowed us to stay in the U.S. without worrying about our immigration status.
We have also referred many friends to her, and they have all successfully achieved their immigration goals. Julia is not only a reliable attorney but also a vital partner in our journey. If we need legal assistance in the future, we will definitely turn to her again.
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29 Aug, 2024 by Ich cts
Agree with those individual who wrote 5 stars review here that immigration Attorney Lu is the most responsive and responds your questions promptly whenever she is available. She follows up the case and helps you to pinpoint what is the most important documents prepared and what areas you need to pay extremely attention during the immigration application process. She will do whatever she can to make your application process as smooth as possible. High quality service and highly recommend for anyone who needs immigration service.
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07 Aug, 2024 by R i
Highly recommend Julia Lu to be the first to call for anyone looking for an immigration lawyer. We contacted Julia for family-based immigration, and our experience could not have been better (on top of, of course, having a successful case). Julia was tech savvy, well-organized, attentive and forthright. Her pricing is very transparent, her intake/material collection was a breeze, and she was able to frequently answer our questions as need arises. We could not have had a better experience anywhere else! 她真是本地最好的移民律师了
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4.7
13 Reviews
4.9
77 Reviews
24 Jul, 2024 by Luis martinez
Highly recommend going to Nick and Daniel they will take care of you and know what they are doing they are a master of their craft. They even went out of their way to take care of my issue that they normally don't deal with, it can be a hassle dealing with the court system but they took care of everything for me and I am very thankful! Once again thanks guys!
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21 Jul, 2024 by Randolph cross
08 Jul, 2024 by Justin m
Nick is very knowledgeable, helpful and responsive! I am grateful to have had his help.
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5.0
5 Reviews
4.9
77 Reviews
24 Jul, 2024 by Luis martinez
Highly recommend going to Nick and Daniel they will take care of you and know what they are doing they are a master of their craft. They even went out of their way to take care of my issue that they normally don't deal with, it can be a hassle dealing with the court system but they took care of everything for me and I am very thankful! Once again thanks guys!
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21 Jul, 2024 by Randolph cross
03 Jul, 2024 by Steven nguyen
Great attorney who always delivers with great results. Thanks to Nick I’ve gotten my life back on track with no jail time!!
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04 Sep, 2024 by Sharon garell
> GJEL was recommended by a longtime friend of the family. Jim Larsen and his team were such a pleasure to work with and achieved excellent results. Jim was very kind, thoughtful, a good listener and readily available to answer my numerous questions. I would be happy to refer him to a friend without hesitation.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Gpt vn 1
Stephanie Rickard is hands down the best DUl lawyer in the Bay Area.
From start to finish, she helped us every steps of the way. The office staff is equally impressive. They are professional, responsive, and have a strong work ethic. Every interaction was smooth and stress-free, which made much easier to navigate. Thank you for everything you do for us!
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03 Sep, 2024 by Brandon reed
Stephanie is an excellent attorney that truly cares about her clients. She gets great results in court. I highly recommend her services.
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21 Jul, 2024 by Randolph cross
08 Jul, 2024 by Roman legkov
Do not trust a word they are saying. They are not here to help you. They will not fight for you. On the contrary, they will try to settle the case with as little work done as possible, which will leave you with a crappy settlement. I do not recommend their services.
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08 Jul, 2024 by J nguyen
Mr. Storey was extremely knowledgeable and helpful regarding my concern. I would highly recommend.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Sharon garell
> GJEL was recommended by a longtime friend of the family. Jim Larsen and his team were such a pleasure to work with and achieved excellent results. Jim was very kind, thoughtful, a good listener and readily available to answer my numerous questions. I would be happy to refer him to a friend without hesitation.
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30 Aug, 2024 by D rose
highly recommend Mr Limon, he is my divorce attorney. Its not an easy case and especially your ex is a narcissist and do not want settlement at all. Anyone is going through Contested divorce please reach out to Mr Limon, all people in his team are highly professional and proficiency to react to the divorce process.
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03 Aug, 2024 by Said mohamed dunia
5.0
10 Reviews
4.6
344 Reviews
26 Aug, 2024 by Rafael trenado
Never again will I hire this firm. My case was a few years ago but it was with this same firm and with Mr. Valencia himself. On the phone he mentioned good things like getting the best results for me possible and possibly getting the charges dropped. All good things you want to hear as a person searching for an attorney but that's not how it went. This guy showed up late to every single one of my court dates by half and or more. He pretty much just showed up to do what I was supposed to do, which is stand before the judge and respond to his requests. I have a prior criminal record so I wasn't expecting him to make magic but at least show up to my court date on time which he did not. All matters were called first who had attorneys but sure enough mine waited until he got there. I feel I would've gotten the same results without him for sure as he did very little communicating with the DA or anyone on the other side of the podium. To top it off on my last court date after not seeing him for over half an hour I called his firm and they informed me he was in redwood city helping someone else. Seriously not cool at all or professional. So they sent another attorney from his office but not until an hour and a half from when the court started. I'm not here to complain about my outcome from the court cause that was a separate issue but i am here to complain about the unprofessional relationship I had with Mr. Valencia and how I will never recommend or reach out to them again. So save your money or go elsewhere because I wasted $4000 for something I could've and should've done myself. Last but not least I think it's very unprofessional how in most of the reviews that are not favored to them they put the person on blast for the previous case they had with them. That's very rude, unprofessional and down right dirty. If they do not like the truth being put in the reviews then maybe they should not be practicing law and giving people false hope. So I won't be surprised if I see information about my case they handled on here based on the responses to reviews that aren't in their favor.
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02 Aug, 2024 by Sean mou
In November last year, based on online reviews, I started consulting with Riccardo. At the beginning, he was quite patient. I consulted several lawyers and eventually chose him based on online reviews and his claim during the consultation that there was a 99% chance of winning the case. I felt relieved to leave the case to him. However, after we paid him, he stopped communicating and never proactively kept in touch.
At first, I thought my case was not a big deal until I was charged and realized the seriousness of the situation. I spent money consulting another lawyer online, who advised me to write a character letter and resume before being charged, which could have helped. But Riccardo never asked me to do anything besides providing basic materials. He was also unwilling to communicate proactively, and I didn't dare to keep asking him questions. Whenever I had questions, they were relayed through his assistant.
Throughout this period, he didn't inform me of what he was doing, and I had no idea about his actions until my case became more severe. He didn't help me much during the whole process and even made excuses, saying the DA was too young to understand family difficulties, which made me feel he was very unprofessional. I had trusted him because he claimed to have 30 years of experience.
After my case resulted in a conviction, I didn't disrespect him until a week ago when I asked if he could attend court on that day. He agreed, and I was very grateful. But today, when I asked him, he angrily told me he was very busy. He could have refused me or informed me earlier. Instead, he made a lot of excuses.
I swear that this person is really unprofessional, and I even doubt if those positive reviews about him are real. I know that when someone makes a mistake and needs professional help, they might go online and look at reviews. If you don't want to waste your time and risk losing your case, you really need to be cautious and not rely solely on ratings. From my experience, sometimes they are not reliable. This is my personal experience working with this person, and I hope to share it with those who need help. I fully understand your feelings, but it's crucial to be careful when choosing a lawyer.
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23 Jul, 2024 by Rigo r.
Very happy with VIB Law.
Riccardo was informative, personable and very helpful every step of the way. I’m glad I found this firm and highly recommend them!
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17 Sep, 2024 by Mel cross
I called the Legal Aid advice line to speak to an attorney, and unfortunately, Amelia returned my call. Amelia is disgusting and rude. She antagonize me during the phone call, making ridiculous snarky comments. I would not recommend that anyone interact with her. Unfortunately, Legal Aid has someone so unprofessional working for them. SMH
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05 Sep, 2024 by Lucia trino
Had to call several times. They have a message option however they won't return calls on messages which just intensities thre stressful situation.
So before you call and are on hold for almost 3 hours, yes 3 hours, please note they will not help anyone unless you're being evicted. Yep, enough their website lists many other subjects.
Oh and lily is in desperate need of customer service training courses.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Carla hull
Food is always good
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17 Feb, 2017 by Ayman badr
We called Mr. Mayfield for an important and urgent matter that needed immediate attention. You can tell he's an attorney who makes himself available without asking too many questions first. I was able to speak to him on first call and he spent over 20 minutes covering all the issues and possibilities of the situation. We followed his sound advice and everything went well. I called him back to thank him and he offered to help further if/when necessary. His conversations are smooth and pleasurable without any rush or complication. Thank you Mr. Mayfield
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08 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
Just very expensive and bad handling of the case. I am not a citizen and I was accused of DV. I came to know of Mr Mayfield from an immigration lawyer. In the very first meeting, when we did not have the police report or any evidence I was told straight that I will have to plead guilty and that I will certainly lose the trial no matter what. There was hardly any evidence the prosecution had against me. I told him multiple times that I wanted to go to trial and that I understand the consequences of losing the trial. I was told some very rude things that being from a country in Asia where there was news of atrocities against women recently, I looked like someone who would do bad things to a woman! That was very sad to hear from my own lawyer. Eventually, as I did not want to be with my wife, he kept trying to convince me to hire an immigration lawyer and a divorce lawyer to file for divorce. I did not fall into that at all. His law firm does civil divorce cases too. I was even sent a mail by him that my wish of going to trial would have grave consequences and I could end up in jail for years! Even though it was a misdemeanor and not even a felony. When I talked to other lawyers, no one believed me that he would have written such a mail. I actually showed the mail to them. Eventually, after running into an enormous bill of 10K usd and still him not willing to go to trial, I decided to move on to a different attorney who handled my case really well and was all prepared to go to trial. Eventually, my case got dismissed on the day of the trial. All in all, I ended up losing lots of money and got bad legal advice. I have 100% confidence that his knowledge of the law is excellent but to this day I do not understand what was his attitude towards my case!
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31 Jul, 2010 by Anonymous
During his handling of my case, he was most concerned about justice and not about fees. He was extremely knowledgeable about the most arcane procedural details and local court customs and practices. He was persuasive in court. He cared.
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13 Aug, 2018 by Rick
Mr. Pointer, was a wonderful lawyer and was there for me in court. I believe in him and his abilities. Came highly recommended.
Much thanks to Mr. Pointer
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22 Sep, 2016 by Keith forster
Richard is not only a experienced Trial Attorney but also a man that has a heart of gold! Rich represented my wife in a case that had so much stinch of police corruption, and got much truth during the Preliminary Hearing by cross examining the witnesses. He had prepared many questions and delivered them so elequently yet brought out the truth and lies of the alleged Victim. Having been in law enforcement for over 28 years myself and seeing many Attornies who sell their clients down the stream, it was a breath of fresh air to have an attorney who really cares about unraveling the truth in a "deal making" DA office. Richard completely changed the course of the prosecution and drastically changed the case for my wife and 3 year old baby, who would have not seen his mother for years if Rich did not intervene for simply the truth! Thank you Richard! What you did for my family will always be remembered. You saved a wife, mother and little child from wrongful prosecution and many years of seperation! God bless you!
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06 May, 2011 by Adam
Stay away from John Hinkle and Richard Pointer, this law firm will charge you an arm and a leg and you will get screwed HARD in the end. First of all he will fee you for everything on top of the $15K for hiring him. He is hard to get in contact with, I feel like when I see him he just doesn't give a flying crap about you or your case and doesn't even shake your hand. One time I went to court and he was never there! I had to go up to the judge and say "my lawyer isn't here to represent me". He lost my motion to dismiss, he is slow, old, and will confuse you while on the stand. look for someone else.
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20 May, 2016 by Nikita
This attorney was court appointed. He was honest when he said the court has not ever given parents their children back when there are allegations of DRUG use. He failed to file motions in a timely matter. He failed to make objections when they were obvious & appropriate to make during court hearings. He neglected to file evidence that I provided that would have proven the petitioners allegations false had he filed my evidence with the court. He waived defective notice without speaking with me. He made no objection to the findings that the ICWA did not apply, after I insisted that it did&had proof he did not think would have made a difference because it was not filed. He never contacted me and very rarely did he return phone calls. E-mail was the best way to get in contact with him. The best advice he gave to me was.... "that is not your fight. Getting your kids back is what you're fighting for. Just do what the social workers want you to do and that is DRUG test." His arguments where not mine. He said in his arguments things like "my client is trying to pull her family out of homelessness." & "I think the party's are starting to come up with a resolution, my client believes she can take care of her children. We just need more time to come up with the proper treatment rather than a cookie cutter type of program." His arguments were not even close to convincing. He did however get me an extra visit for two hours. Total of 2 days/week. 2hours/ea. He did request make up visits when I was in court the morning I had a visit because notice said 830 not 130.
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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.
