Representation for All Types of Juvenile Crimes

Our Ohio juvenile defense attorneys represent minors across a wide range of charges, from first-time mistakes to serious felony allegations. 

Some of the most common juvenile cases we handle include:

• DUI/OVI
• Drug crimes
• Sexual offenses
• Theft and shoplifting
• Assault/fighting
• Vandalism and criminal damaging
• Criminal trespassing
• Weapons charges
• Violent felonies

What Happens After a Child Is Arrested in Ohio

Intake, Diversion, and Detention Decisions

Once your child is arrested, the case typically goes through an intake officer before it ever reaches a judge. The intake officer reviews the allegations and decides how the case should move forward, including whether it's a good candidate for a diversion program (an alternative path that can resolve minor or first-time offenses through counseling, community service, or restitution instead of a formal court proceeding). 

A successful diversion can mean your child avoids a delinquency finding altogether.

At the same time, the court has to decide what happens to your child while the case is pending. Since Ohio juveniles don't have a right to bail, this decision matters enormously: your child may be released to you, placed on home detention, or held at a juvenile detention facility until the case is resolved. Having an attorney advocate at this stage, before the first hearing, can directly affect this outcome.

How Juvenile Cases Differ from Adult Cases in Ohio

Juvenile crimes differ from adult crimes due to the unique nature of the juvenile justice system, which is complex and often misunderstood. 

A few important differences include:

• Juveniles do not have the same rights as adults, increasing the risk of unjust outcomes. For example, they lack the automatic right to a trial by jury, resulting in most cases being tried before a single judge.
• There is no right to bond or bail in juvenile cases. A minor might be held in a detention center, released on home detention, or released to his or her parents while awaiting trial. Coupled with the absence of a right to a speedy trial, a juvenile might be detained for weeks or months before his or her case is heard in court.
• Sentencing for juvenile crimes also varies from adult cases. Rather than prison, a court may order commitment to the Ohio Department of Youth Services, probation, community service, counseling, or restitution, depending on the offense and the child's history.
• Many juvenile cases qualify for diversion programs that can resolve a case without a formal adjudication, often through community service, counseling, or restitution. A successful diversion can mean your child avoids a record entirely.
• Juvenile records are not automatically public the way adult records are, and many qualify for sealing or expungement once your child reaches a certain age or completes the terms of their case. An experienced attorney can help you understand whether your child's case qualifies and when to file.

These differences highlight the importance of hiring a juvenile defense attorney to represent your child's case. With extensive experience and deep expertise in juvenile criminal cases, our lawyers at Patituce & Associates can help your family navigate the complex legal process and protect your child's best interests.

Can a Juvenile Be Tried as an Adult in Ohio?

One of the most serious risks in a juvenile case is bindover, sometimes called transfer, in which a juvenile's case is moved from juvenile court to the adult criminal system. This is not a hypothetical concern; it is a real possibility in certain Ohio cases involving older teens or serious felony charges, and it changes everything about what your child is facing.

There are two types of bindover under Ohio law:

• Mandatory bindover applies to certain serious charges, such as certain violent felonies or firearm offenses, when the juvenile is 16 or 17 (and in some cases 14 or 15). If mandatory bindover applies, the juvenile court has little or no discretion to retain jurisdiction.
• Discretionary bindover allows a judge to decide, after a hearing, whether a case should be transferred to adult court based on factors like the child's age, the severity of the alleged offense, and the child's history.

If a case is transferred to adult court, your child faces the same charges, the same potential penalties, and the same public record as an adult defendant, including the possibility of an adult prison sentence and a permanent criminal record. This is one of the highest-stakes moments in any juvenile case, and it's exactly why early, aggressive legal representation matters.

Can Juvenile Records Be Sealed?

Many parents assume a juvenile record will simply disappear once their child turns 18, or that it sorts itself out automatically. That's not quite how it works in Ohio.

Some juvenile records can be sealed once your child turns 21, but two things are worth understanding upfront:

• First, plenty of important milestones happen before then. College applications, trade school admissions, certain jobs, and military enlistment can all be affected by a criminal record.
• Second, sealing isn't automatic in every case. Depending on the offense and how the case was resolved, your child may need to formally petition the court, and not every case will qualify.

This is exactly why the decisions made during the case itself, whether it ends in a dismissal, a diversion, or a particular type of disposition, matter well beyond the moment your child walks out of the courtroom. An attorney who understands how sealing works in Ohio can help you make choices now that protect your child's options later.

When Your Child's Future Is on the Line, Don't Wait

An arrest is frightening, but it doesn't have to define your child's future. The decisions made in the days and weeks ahead are decisions you don't have to face alone. Our juvenile criminal defense attorneys at Patituce & Associates have spent their careers in juvenile and criminal courts across Ohio, and as parents ourselves, we understand exactly what's at stake for your family.

With eight local offices, we serve clients across Ohio, including in:

• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Akron
• Toledo
• Cincinnati
• Beachwood
• Independence
• Strongsville
• Dayton

If your child has been arrested or charged with a juvenile crime in Ohio, call Patituce & Associates today at (440) 771-1175for a free consultation. We're available 24/7.