Minneapolis Juvenile Defense Lawyer

Protecting the Rights and Future of Minnesota Youth

When a child is accused of committing a crime, the consequences can extend far beyond the courtroom. A juvenile conviction can affect educational opportunities, employment prospects, military eligibility, and a young person's future reputation. If your child has been arrested or charged with a crime, you and your child must seek legal representation as soon as possible.

At Tamburino Law Group, our experienced Minneapolis juvenile defense lawyers understand that children deserve a second chance. We aggressively defend minors facing juvenile delinquency allegations throughout Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and surrounding Minnesota communities. Whether your child is accused of a wide range of offenses, our legal team is prepared to protect their rights and work toward the best possible outcome.

Families throughout Minnesota trust Tamburino Law Group because we offer:

• More than 100 years of combined legal experience
• Extensive criminal defense knowledge
• Insight from former prosecutors
• Aggressive courtroom advocacy
• Personalized legal strategies
• Responsive communication
• Dedicated representation from start to finish

If your child has been accused of a crime, contact our firm at (612) 444-5020 to discuss your options with our Minneapolis juvenile criminal defense lawyers.

Common Juvenile Crimes We Defend

Juveniles, like adults, can be charged with a wide array of criminal offenses under Minnesota law. However, the circumstances surrounding youth offenses often involve peer pressure, lapses in judgment, or underlying mental health and behavioral challenges. At Tamburino Law Group, we provide comprehensive defense representation for minors facing all types of juvenile allegations, including:

• Theft and Property Crimes: Shoplifting, tampering with a motor vehicle, grand theft, vandalism, and criminal damage to property.
• Assault and Violent Offenses: Schoolyard fights, domestic altercations, cyberbullying that crosses into harassment, and terroristic threats.
• Drug and Alcohol Charges: Minor in Possession (MIP), possession of controlled substances, drug sales, and driving under the influence (DWI/DUI).
• Weapons Offenses: Unlawful carrying of a concealed weapon or bringing a firearm/knife onto school property.
• Sex Crimes: Non-consensual sexual contact, sexual assault, and modern "sexting" allegations that can inadvertently lead to severe juvenile pornography charges.
• Underage DWI: Minnesota enforces a strict "Not a Drop" policy for drivers under 21, making it illegal to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in the system.

What Happens After a Juvenile Arrest in Minneapolis?

The timeline immediately following a juvenile arrest moves quickly and can catch parents off guard. If your child is detained by law enforcement in Minneapolis, the police have two primary tracks:

• Release to Parents: For minor offenses, police will often process the juvenile and release them directly to a parent or legal guardian with a citation or notice that the matter is being referred to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
• Secure Detention: For severe or violent offenses, or if law enforcement believes the child is a danger to themselves or the community, the juvenile may be transported to the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) in downtown Minneapolis.
• Warning for Parents: Your child has constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Do not allow law enforcement to interrogate your child without a Minneapolis juvenile defense attorney present. Minors are uniquely susceptible to coercive police tactics and may give false or highly damaging statements out of fear.

Understanding the Hennepin County Juvenile Court Process

If the county prosecutor decides to move forward with formal charges, they will file a juvenile petition. Juvenile matters in Minneapolis are handled by the Fourth Judicial District’s Juvenile Court, located at the Hennepin County Juvenile Justice Center.

The process typically involves several key stages:

• Detention Hearing: If your child is held in secure custody, a detention hearing must be held within 36 to 72 hours (excluding weekends and holidays). A judge determines whether the youth can return home or must remain detained pending trial.
• Arraignment (Initial Appearance): The juvenile is formally read the charges outlined in the petition and enters a plea of "admitted" (guilty) or "denied" (not guilty).
• Pre-Trial Conferences: Our legal team reviews the state’s evidence, uncovers procedural violations, and negotiates with prosecutors to see if charges can be dropped or diverted to alternative programs.
• Trial (Trial by Judge): Unlike adults, juveniles in Minnesota do not have a constitutional right to a jury trial. Their guilt or innocence is decided solely by a juvenile court judge in an "adjudication hearing."
• Disposition: If the judge finds that the allegations are true, the case moves to disposition (sentencing). The court assesses probation, treatment programs, restitution, or out-of-home placement based on what is in the "best interests of the child."

Can a Juvenile Be Charged as an Adult?

In most cases, individuals under the age of 18 are considered juveniles under Minnesota law. However, if a minor is at least 14 years old at the time of the alleged offense and commits a serious felony, the prosecution may file a motion for Adult Certification.

If the court grants certification, the juvenile’s case is transferred entirely out of the juvenile system and into the adult criminal court. This means the individual faces adult prison sentences, adult jail facilities, and a permanent, public adult criminal record. The court evaluates several statutory factors when deciding on adult certification, including the severity of the offense, the minor's prior record, their emotional and mental maturity, and the availability of rehabilitative programming within the juvenile system.

Our primary goal in these high-stakes scenarios is to fight certification tooth and nail, presenting compelling expert testimony and psychological evaluations to keep your child’s case in juvenile court.

Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ) Cases

Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ) is a hybrid designation in Minnesota for minors aged 14 to 17 accused of felony-level offenses. An EJJ case serves as a middle ground between the juvenile system and the adult system.

If a youth is designated EJJ, they receive a dual sentence:

• A Juvenile Disposition: A rigorous rehabilitative plan that can extend until the individual's 21st birthday.
• A Stayed Adult Prison Sentence: An adult prison sentence that is put on hold.

As long as the juvenile successfully completes their juvenile probation and complies with all court orders, the adult sentence is wiped away. However, if they commit a new offense or violate their probation terms, the adult stayed sentence can be executed, and the youth can be sent directly to adult state prison. Tamburino Law Group has extensive experience navigating EJJ cases, safeguarding youth from the activation of adult prison terms.

Consequences of a Juvenile Conviction

It is a dangerous misconception that juvenile records "don't count" or simply disappear when a child turns 18. An adjudication of delinquency can carry devastating, ripple-effect consequences that follow a young person well into adulthood:

• Educational Barriers: Suspension, expulsion, and severe limitations when applying for college admissions or institutional scholarships.
• Loss of Housing Opportunities: Many rental complexes run background checks on all occupants, and certain offenses can disqualify a family or young adult.
• Employment Disqualifications: A record can prevent a young person from obtaining professional licenses, working with vulnerable populations, or securing competitive jobs.
• Future Legal Vulnerability: A juvenile record can be factored into sentencing calculations if the individual is ever charged with an offense as an adult.

Juvenile Record Expungement in Minnesota

If your child already has a juvenile record in Hennepin County, their future does not have to be permanently compromised. Minnesota law allows individuals to petition the court for a juvenile expungement—a legal process that seals records held by the courts, police, and human services departments.

Whether an expungement is granted depends heavily on the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and the steps the individual has taken toward rehabilitation. Our firm can analyze your child’s historical record, draft a compelling petition, and represent them at the expungement hearing to give them the clean slate they deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should parents do immediately after an arrest?

Remain calm, avoid discussing the allegations with investigators, and contact an experienced juvenile defense attorney as soon as possible.

Will my child go to jail?

In the juvenile system, secure confinement is referred to as detention or placement rather than jail or prison. While minor offenses rarely result in out-of-home placement, serious felonies or repeat offenses can lead to a youth being placed in a juvenile residential treatment facility, a correctional program, or the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center.

What is juvenile diversion?

Diversion is an alternative program run by the county or community organizations designed for first-time, low-level offenders. If a juvenile completes specific requirements—such as community service, restitution, or educational classes—the charges are dropped entirely, preventing a formal court record from ever being created.

Do parents have to attend juvenile court hearings?

Yes. In Minnesota, parents or legal guardians are legally required to attend court appearances with their child. Your presence signifies a stable support system, which is highly valued by juvenile court judges making disposition decisions.

How is a juvenile defense lawyer different from a public defender?

While public defenders do admirable work, they are often burdened with crushing caseloads that prevent them from dedicating individualized time to every family. A private Minneapolis juvenile defense lawyer at Tamburino Law Group provides meticulous, personalized attention, conducting independent investigations, collaborating with private specialists, and maintaining open, continuous communication with parents throughout the legal ordeal.

Why You Need a Minneapolis Juvenile Defense Attorney

Juvenile court is different from adult criminal court. While the juvenile justice system is intended to focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, the consequences of a juvenile adjudication can still be serious and long-lasting.

Our Minneapolis juvenile defense lawyer can help:

• Protect your child's constitutional rights
• Challenge unlawfully obtained evidence
• Negotiate diversion alternatives
• Seek dismissal or reduction of charges
• Prevent certification into adult court
• Pursue record sealing and expungement options
• Minimize the impact on your child's future

Early legal intervention can make a significant difference in the outcome of a juvenile case.

For a free case evaluation with our team, call us at (612) 444-5020. We are available 24/7.