(412) 763-0367

Juvenile Crimes and Offenses

Home » Criminal Defense in Pittsburgh » Juvenile Crimes and Offenses

Has your child been charged with a crime?  Although some don’t consider juvenile offenses to be serious, any conviction or adjudication can affect your child’s future.  The juvenile justice system works differently than the adult system.  In many circumstances, the crimes you are convicted of committing as a juvenile will continue to have an impact during your adulthood. In some cases, the district attorney will have the case transferred for trial in adult court. And depending on the nature of the charges, a child’s case may actually be originally charged in adult court.

Whether your child is being adjudicated as a delinquent or tried as an adult, it is important to have an attorney who is qualified to represent your child in juvenile court.  If your child has been charged with a crime or is facing proceedings in juvenile court, contact Defense Attorney William R. Bickerton for a consultation.

Bickerton Law is conveniently located 15 minutes from Downtown in the North Hills of Pittsburgh.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Juvenile Justice System in Pennsylvania

1.)    What is a delinquent act?

A delinquent act is any crime in Pennsylvania if committed by a juvenile.

2.)    What crimes would not count as a delinquent act?

  • Murder
  • The following crimes if committed if the child is over 15 years of age and used a gun:
    • Rape
    • Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
    • Aggravated Assault
    • Robbery
    • Robbery of a motor vehicle (“Car-jacking”)
    • Kidnapping
    • Voluntary Manslaughter
    • Attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder
  • The following crimes if the child is over 15 years of age and was previously adjudicated delinquent of one of the crimes below:
    • Rape
    • Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse (IDSI)
    • Aggravated Assault
    • Robbery
    • Robbery of a motor vehicle (“Car-jacking”)
    • Kidnapping
    • Voluntary Manslaughter
    • Attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit murder
    • Summary offenses, unless the child does not comply with the terms of his or her sentence
    • Any crime committed by a child who has been convicted of a crime in a criminal proceeding (except for summary offenses)

3.)    Are all juvenile records sealed?

Not exactly.  Some records are not available to the general public, but others are.  Either way, it is important to seek an expungement of your juvenile record if you are eligible.  For more information on juvenile record expungements, go here.

4.)    Does my child have the right to an attorney?

Yes.

5.) Does a juvenile have the right to a jury trial?

Only if the case is in adult court. There is no right to a jury in a juvenile matter.