In June of 2010, I formed an alliance with Attorney Randall L. Parr to work together on Juvenile Law, bringing together Mr. Parr's trial level experience with my extensive appellate advocacy experience. Our combined experience allows us to provide top notch representation during both the trial and appeal phases of representation.

Juvenile Arrest

If your child has been arrested and charged with a crime, you and your child should have been informed about your his or her right to refuse to be questioned by the police and to consult with a parent or guardian before deciding if he or she will submit to questioning. Juvenile cases are normally heard as bench trials, (with the judge deciding guilt or innocence) and there may be several hearings before going to trial.

Juvenile Trial

The prosecution is required to turn over to the defense all of the information that they have about the alleged act of delinquency, so that your attorney can prepare a proper defense. Your attorney may want to pursue additional investigation and research in order to supplement the information from the prosecutor. We will pursue all avenues in preparing for trail and representing your child at trial.

After the trail

After a conviction, the same rights of appeal apply for children as for adults. See our Civil and Criminal Appeals page for information on appellate optrions.

Mr Parr and I understand the unique problems and challenges of a juvenile prosecution, and the stress that you are under when you learn your child is in trouble. We will fight for your child's rights and do all we can to secure a favorable outcome in juvenile court.

In June of 2010, I formed an alliance with Attorney Randall L. Parr to work together on Juvenile Law, bringing together Mr. Parr's trial level experience with my extensive appellate advocacy experience. Our combined experience allows us to provide top notch representation during both the trial and appeal phases of representation.

Child in Need of Services (CHINS) and
Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

If you are facing the prospect of governmental interference in your relationship with your children through a CHINS or TPR action, you will need someone to fight for your rights and your children's rights. I understand how stressful and intimidating these cases can be. Mr. Parr and I have a combined experience base of over three decades handling CHINS and TPR cases at the trial and appellate levels.

Generally when the Department of Child Services (DCS) becomes aware of a possible problem in the home, they will start an investigation, to assure the physical and emotional safety and health of the child in his or her home environment. If they decide that the child needs intervention but that it is not necessary to remove the child from the home, they may start an "in-home CHINS" (Child In Need of Service) action, where the parent or parents will be required to participate in some type of intervention but the child remains in the home. Often these interventions will involve parenting, anger management or other types of classes, or substance abuse treatment. If DCS decides that the child is not safe in the home then they will start an "out-of-home CHINS", where the child is removed from the home while interventions with the parents take place. Should DCS decide that the home is unsafe and cannot be made safe, they will start a Termination of Parental Rights action (TPR).

In some cases these actions could  lead to a criminal charge against a parent or even another child if that child was involved in abuse against the child "in need of service' (CHINS and TPR are civil court proceedings).

It can be very helpful to the parents to have legal representation to present the parent's side to the court and represent the parent's interests. Mr Parr and I will vigorously defend your interests.