Best Juvenile Law lawyers in Washington

521 Juvenile Law Lawyers in Washington

>521

experienced lawyers

J. Scott Bougher

Po Box 8211, Port Orchard, WA

Appeals Child Support Criminal Defense +2 +5

2.3/5

2.3

9 Reviews

12 Nov, 2023 by Kevin

Yall can fool yourself this guy is pathetic disrespectful and a joke and believe me when i say this i will have his job he bull shits through his teeth constantly cries wolf about being sick and i will be pulling all reviews and video recordings of his representation and taking them in front of the judge and the state governor and representatives as well as posting it all on every social media websites the best thing i got out this guy was the ratings he has and the laughs i got of being better off hiring your own belly button lint. He doesnt deserve his license especially when i who never studied law knows more about rcw and rights than he does.... Hes a pathetic waste of time and human life sorry not sorry.

06 Dec, 2021 by Jay

At the beginning of my case with Mr. Bougher, he was very helpful, informative, and all around a great guy. Far better than the only other attorney I've had. However, I've made 10-20 attempts between each hearing to contact him and he never responds. He then goes into the hearing and tells the Judge I'm the one who's failing to communicate. It's hard to recommend someone who behaves like this despite my first impression of him being so good.

15 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous

I hired Scott as my divorce attorney back in April. He sounded like a very promising lawyer and knowledge, dressing was questionable. After the first court hearing which I watched him shake while talking to the judge and other attorney, he went mute and told me he is in the hospital. There was no communication about the case. In November I was tired and ready to move on. I went to present my divorce documents myself. Scott got angry at me when I told him what I did and he send the papers to the other lawyer with words “this document was prepared by my clinical. She is from Somalia and does not know American laws.” I had to correct him and tell him I have never been to Somalia. I was shocked when he told me I am from Nigeria again I had to tell him I am not from Nigeria and he should take me as a client and know what I want and need and stop assigning me countries. I had the feeling he has no clue whom he was presenting. He would also tell me things like “you married your ex deal with it” this happens when I tell him to let my ex’s lawyer know that my ex has not given me his address as the parental plan required .on the last meeting with Scott, he started yelling at me told me he was going to get a lawyer and sue me for putting a review online then after talking about how he will sue me he asked me if that was a treat . Scott would not pick my calls will not return missed calls and even emails. I fired him after the incident. If you want peace of mind do not hire him.

Christopher Scott Tait

403 W Chestnut Ave, Yakima, WA

Child Support Criminal Defense Estate Planning +2 +5

2.3/5

2.3

6 Reviews

08 Nov, 2018 by Mandi erickson

I don’t know a single attorney to challenge allegations by Yakima Police Department, State Farm Insurance Associates, Department of Social Health Services licensing Department in both Administrative and Likely Criminal proceedings and negotiate them all down to even receive verbal apologies. If you need a legal advocate this is your guy! He is very intelligent and knows his stuff. Be honest with him and upfront and he will have your back the entire way! Highly recomended!!!

04 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous

Took my case after representing my child's mother. I told him her name and even showed him pictures. After finding out he had a conflict of interest he dropped me and changed me an outrageous amount for the amount of work that was done.

27 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous

Contacted Chris Tait to help with a business law issue and he constantly wants more and more money to pad his retainer. After two years of unresponsiveness and getting nothing done I fired him. Still have never seen a statement of charges or the balance of my retainer.

Eleanor Marie Couto

871 11 Th Ave Ste 1, Longview, WA

Juvenile Law Real Estate +2

2.3/5

2.3

3 Reviews

12 Apr, 2017 by Chris

I retained this Attorney for a divorce. She charged me a LOT of money and in the end I had to fire her, and completed my divorce myself. She LIED in court. I had to keep giving her paperwork because she kept loosing it. She did NOT listen to what happened and TOTALLY misrepresented me. She told me in court to SHUT UP. She provoked my now former spouse over and over again, to make us continue to go back to court more times than were necessary. Which drives the cost up for me HER CLIENT. She did NOT keep me informed as to when court dates were changed or postponed, I went to court a few times just to find out it had been postponed. While she was representing me I was loosing in my battle, once I fired her I came out ahead and a LOT more fare of a conclusion. While she represented me the divorce drug out for TWO YEARS, after I fired her, it was resolved within a couple months of my former spouse and I working out the details ourselves. Please don't waste your time and money on this attorney.

24 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous

It really depends on if you women are drug users, drinkers, or lousy moms. Elle has zero tolerance for sustance abuse. We went for 3rd party custody because my granddaughter was being left at drug houses. Elle knows her stuff and what the judge needs to feel comfortable moving that child. Shes smart, well liked, and runs a tight ship. Very professional.

29 Jul, 2013 by Mathias

From my experience with her she is absolutely the worst attorney i have ever employed, do not trust this person! she will never do anything you ask of her, she wont follow through with things she discusses with you. She wont file motions and this is in no way anyone you want working on your family court case.

Paula M. Plumer

1011 8th St, Anacortes, WA

Criminal Defense Elder Law Juvenile Law +3

2.3/5

2.3

3 Reviews

17 Aug, 2014 by Michelle

Paula was hired to my case and she began by a phone call. During our phone conversation she was very responsive as well as open to everything I had to offer the situation. She has continued to keep me well informed as well as stayed in constant contact with me. I would definately reccomend her and have had personal experience with san juan countys attorneys. The simple fact is she stands at the top of her class and deserves the respect of our community.

13 Nov, 2013 by Patrick

Upon my Sister's retaining of Plumer I began to question her ability to formulate a comprehensive argument respective to my defense. Not only did she fail to consider my input regarding my case, she seemed intent on a defense that had little to nothing to do with MY case. At one point she informed me that I could NO LONGER CALL her, and as for my "defense" she failed to file the usual challenges, failed to object to stipulations that are outside the authority of the court to allow.... not ONE HOUR of time was applied to my case by a private investigator... when I found myself beginning the process of selecting a jury and was informed by her that she could either select a jury or describe how she intended to present my defense, I chose to enter a STTDFG Alford Plea which I will withdraw once I am able to develop a comprehesive defense... I would NEVER recommend this person. It was like watching a horrific accident happen right before my eyes

17 Feb, 2008 by Anonymous

i want to warn the general public about the practices of this person. I retained her as my lawyer. Her skills as a lawyer are truly pathetic. I would like the public to know that she failed her fiduciary agreement with me her client. She shared with the "victim" in private very confidential information that is strictly between client and attorney. I'm currently in the process of filing a bar complaint against Ms. Plumer and also filing a law suit against this lawyer for breaching her client confidentiality that has destroyed my family's life. Ms. Plumer's actions have costs me my personal freedom, and the loss of my two kids. I will never forgive this person for her lack of trust and lack of advocacy for her client. She simply sold me out her client at the 11th hour of the case. On top of all this, she pretends to be a divorce lawyer, and in fact she is a criminal lawyer and pathetic at that too. Ms. Plumer is the most incompetent and unethical person I have ever met. Beware NEVER to meet or do business with this person. You will regret it.

Megan Manlove

1116 W Broadway Ave Fl 4, Spokane, WA

Criminal Defense Juvenile Law +2

2.3/5

2.3

7 Reviews

06 Dec, 2023 by Matt duggan

Very helpful organization. Friendly staff who is full service and go out of their way to help. Highly recommend.

18 Oct, 2023 by Jerry quinn

The online referral tool does not work or has not been maintained. No one answers the phones. Not sure what value this bar association provides. I can't see any reason to ever go here except to be frustrated.

22 May, 2023 by Brenden loucks

It was not a helpful experience at all. Despite me giving the information he asked for He just replied with "That's all I can give you with the information you provided" All without asking me questions for what information he needed. The person was clearly preoccupied with typing and despite him stating he didn't have access to the online portal he was somehow able to see what had been filed under the case #. I am beyond disappointed with how I was treated and dismissed. Its pretty clear the SPOKANE COUNTY COURTHOUSE is in dire need of a revamp and house cleaning. It is 100% a racket.

Richard F Bueschel

110 W 11 Th Ave, Ellensburg, WA

Child Support Criminal Defense Estate Planning +1 +4

2.0/5

2.0

4 Reviews

05 May, 2023 by Zacharias

This fool represented me on my child custody case I told him right from the start that wasn't going to just take this line down we'll go to the box basically. Did you call this guy Rich the truck buechell because he totally rolled me under the bus and helped Kittitas County violate my rights.

03 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous

Richard handled a criminal case for me in which I was wrongly accused. He at first seemed on top of it, but later seemed like he was perpetually annoyed. Case was resolved to a lesser misdemeanor but he was supposed to have at least tried to arrange an Alford plea and he never bothered. There were other HUGE problems with the plea agreement that he should have foresaw and I later had to return to court to fix, and when I tried to meet with him he made me follow him out to the parking lot to speak to him while he chain-smoked and then literally had an aneurysm about my case and was extremely rude.

20 Jun, 2014 by Lucinda

Rick was extremely helpful to me. He represented me first pro bono, 7 years ago on a DWI charge and got it reduced to a Reckless Driving conviction. I failed to do my probation and a bench warrant was issued. I let it go for 6 yrs and finally did something about it this year. I hired Rick, the cost was reasonable and I knew from memory that Rick had good rapport with the court at the time when he got my charge reduced. We went into court and probation wanted a year of my life in jail for this violation. I was stunned. Rick argued successfully for me and I was given 90 days on electronic home monitoring or jail. No other sanctions, no probation, no new fines, and no evaluations. It was a god shot. I am home now doing my time, no jail. I am extremely grateful to him.

Amity A Bjork

1370 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA

Criminal Defense Juvenile Law +2

1.5/5

1.5

2 Reviews

13 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous

Ms. Bjork has given poor representation/ lack of services in my Husbands Criminal case! With Amitys short time of being his Lawyer, she did nothing but give false hope for my Husband and his future. Granted it takes time to gather information on a case, but... there was no movement forward even with-in these few months... Amity proved NOT helpful .... She never showed up at my Husbands last Omnibus Hearing, So it was continued the following day. She decided to show up for court and have my Husband sign a 45day continuance. He was thinking she needed more time to gather info before his next court date in Feb 2013. She did not respond to his letter, and didn't show up for the last visit she scheduled with him. Lastly she withdrew from his case 4 days ago! Way to go on horrible representation, and lack of being professional.

03 Jan, 2010 by Anonymous

Pretty much just vanished before we could actually proceed with anything. wouldn't return my calls or emails. Have been trying to retrieve my paperwork from her to no avail. She assured me our initial consultation that my search for legal counsel was over and that she was going to help me then suddenly changed tone when spoken to later telling me that there wasn't much she could do. Have been trying on and off every couple months to see if I owe her any money and trying to get my paperwork back. She worked with me for about six months but i'm still not sure if I was technically her client thus my several inquiries asking her if I owed a balance for her services.

Margot L. Carter

840 SE 8th Ave, Oak Harbor, WA

Juvenile Law +1

1.5/5

1.5

2 Reviews

07 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous

She helped me get out of WA, but didn't fully read the parenting plan. She definitely didn't help me understand the fine print. Her price was nice but she was disorganized. Other lawyers didn't have very nice things to say and mostly rolled their eyes. I had to keep up on what I paid otherwise she wouldn't count it towards my bill. I would not recommend her for family matters especially in cases of domestic abuse. She told me I shouldn't have slept with someone I didn't know. I reminded her we knew each other for 5 yrs before getting engaged and having child. I had to chase her down to get things done.

22 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous

I went through a horrible divorce this year and was referred to Margot through the military. I was frustrated through the entire process. She was extremely unorganized, and never had set hours and would not return my calls for weeks. At one point, she and her assistant went on vacation for an entire week and never notified me directly, and never posted a note on the door of her office. I genuinely feel like Margot never represented my character accurately in court, and without any specific reason at all, the court only awarded me every other weekend custody of my son. Margot continuously gave me false hope as to how there was no way the court would award my wife what she was asking, but then would come back from court and email the decision, which was outrageous spousal support and child support numbers, and minimal custody of my son. I would never refer this attorney to any man whose spouse is trying to take his livelihood and his child. Margot also never sat me down to explain my final divorce decree, but simply had her assistant email the final documents to me.

Dolores Katherine Sarandos

705 S 9th St Ste 201, Tacoma, WA

Estate Planning Family Law Juvenile Law +3

1.0/5

1.0

3 Reviews

28 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous

Dolores WILL NOT protect your children. My experience with her was one of the worst situations because she refused to research extensively and my children, who were being abused by a family member, were re-victimized by them because she failed to protect them. I had a very similar experience to some of the other reviewers who were traumatized by Dolores and I wish she was never allowed to practise law again or be involved with family law.

27 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous

If this woman is assigned to your case......RUN! Her and her mouthy secretary, Michelle, were absolutely horrible to deal with. There is no communication at all. It would seem as if Ms. Sarandos is more interested in "padding her income" all the while having Ms. Nicks do the majority of the work. It does not matter how you try to contact, there will never be a response. The only time I received responses is when I went into a court and talked to a judge. Then like magic there was a response.

09 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous

If you get this woman assigned to your case run like H. Both her and her mouthy secretary were absolutely horrible to deal with. The only thing that she had to do was to request a psychological evaluation for my ex son in law whose family was molested my granddaughter while my ex son in law watched. The results from his psychological evaluation would have put him in supervised visitations and kept my granddaughter safe. Instead Dolores allowed the family that was molested her to have visitations with her where they molested her again. She told the court that this was just a family feud even when there were several third party professionals willing to go to court for my granddaughter. She had the power to make a difference but she basically said that she had already written her review and wasn't going to do anything else about it. Several people called her to let her know what they had heard out of my granddaughters mouth but she never called them back. I sent her an eight page email begging for help for my granddaughter but she actually complained about that in court. Just say NO, NO and No if you are ever forced to use her. She did an extremely bad job and never protected my granddaughter like a guardian at litem is supposed to do. I certainly hope nothing ever happens to one of her grand children.

Jennifer A Walker

3643 N Pearl St, Tacoma, WA

Family Law Juvenile Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

2 Reviews

23 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous

Jennifer Walker is very passive aggressive. She acts like she has your best interest in mind. But when she goes to court for you she folds and then makes excuses. If you question her she turns on you.

28 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous

She was assigned to me for dependency. Flat out told me she didn't have time for my case, never answered phone calls or emails, wouldn't sign over attorney rights to a different lawyer. She also treated me like I was 5, and not as an adult or client.

Felicia Schumacher

3965 Bethel Rd SE Ste 1, Port Orchard, WA

Criminal Defense Juvenile Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

28 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous

Ms. Schumacher was opposing counsel in a drawn-out family case which went to trial. She misled and misrepresented her client. Her lack of knowledge in procedural law caused many significant delays and superfluous legal fees on both sides. Her client was ruled against on all but one complaint.

Suzanne Marie Bernad Hayden

212 E 5th St, Port Angeles, WA

Criminal Defense Juvenile Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

01 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous

She doesn’t fight for you case and is a very hard person to get a hold of especially if you don’t have parents help with the court system

223 E 4th St Ste 11, Port Angeles, WA

Appeals Business Civil Rights +6 +9

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

30 Jul, 2021 by Tyler tenneson

Elizabeth Tyrrell Vincent

949 Court E, Tacoma, WA

Child Support Government Juvenile Law +3

1.0/5

1.0

1 Reviews

05 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous

This "attorney" is suppose to work for the state in the child custody/support division. So to be fair to both clients is critical. As it involves childrens well being. But Ms. Vincent is very lazy and will not review information pretaining to the case until the hearing dates. Then she arrives late, (after court has started) which makes it impossible to even discuss anything with her. She follows her opinions and feelings that she wants done, not by the law. So never, never make her mad. She will bad mouth and degrade you at court. No matter how it will affect the child. She plays "dumb" when the court asks her knowledge of facts that have been addressed. "What, I don't recall and not to my knowledge" are her favorites. I would ask to be reassigned to a different lawyer to handle your case, but the Proscuters office will NOT do this. So I'm sorry but you are at her mercy when going to child support hearings when she is assigned your case in Tacoma Washington.

Paul D Thimons

819 Cline Ave, Port Orchard, WA

Criminal Defense Juvenile Law +2

1.0/5

1.0

1211 E Alder St Ste 4015, Seattle, WA

Criminal Defense Juvenile Law +2

0.0/5

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FAQs

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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.

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.

Best Juvenile Law lawyers in Washington

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