Juvenile Matters

If your under-aged child needs legal advice or representation due to being charged with a crime while a juvenile, speak to a law firm that understands the Rhode Island juvenile justice code. In certain situations, the family court can waive jurisdiction to the adult courts if the act in question is serious enough.

• Juvenile offenders are tried in the Rhode Island Family Court. The crime is classified as juvenile delinquency, and the criminal process is very different from the adult court. There are several alternative courts, including the Truancy Court and the Juvenile Drug Court.
• Juvenile offenders do not have the 6th amendment right to a jury trial. If the matter is egregious enough to move your child to the adult court, a jury trial is an option.
• Juvenile offenders do not have a right to bail; the determination is made at their detention hearing in family court. The decision would be to release the child to a parent or guardian or incarcerate them at the Rhode Island Juvenile Corrections Detention Unit in Cranston.
• The procedures and rules in family court are different from the adult court, as well as the options available at sentencing. Some options include community service, revocation of a driving license, probation, restitution, or counseling services. For serious crimes or repeat offenses, incarceration at the Juvenile Corrections Detention Unit is possible.

• Alcohol Offenses
• Arson
• Disorderly Conduct
• Drug Offenses
• DUI/OUI
• Gang Related Activity
• Property Crimes
• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Misconduct
• Shoplifting
• Traffic Violations
• Trespassing
• Truancy

At Ron Bonin Law, we understand the unique nature of the juvenile court system and prepare a defense strategy with the special considerations that are unique to juvenile law in Rhode Island. This list is not all-inclusive but captures most of the crimes falling into the juvenile delinquency area of Rhode Island laws.