Do juvenile courts lose jurisdiction over youth when they turn 18? Attorney Matthew Brown from Combs Waterkotte answers the question “Do Juvenile Courts Lose Jurisdiction Over Youth When They Turn 18?” Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyers in Missouri.
Jessica Ambuehl: Do juvenile courts lose jurisdiction over youth after they turn 18?
Matt Brown: Actually, no. A juvenile court can retain jurisdiction over a juvenile delinquent until they’re 21 years old. That is a common misconception. Most people think “Hey, if I’m 18 years old, then the court automatically loses jurisdiction,” and that’s not the case at all.
When you’re talking about some more of the severe cases, violent crimes, you can stay in the DYS, Division of Youth Services, up until you’re 21 years old. The court retains jurisdiction up until that time.
Jessica Ambuehl: Do you move into an adult prison if you’re continuing your service?
Matt Brown: Most of the time, no, because typically when you’re in DYS, you’re also part of a specific program that is tailored at DYS to specific offenses and to juveniles.
So you’ll probably stay in a DYS facility. Oftentimes you continue to stay in that facility because you haven’t completed the requirements to get out. So that’s typically why you’re there anyway.
Jessica Ambuehl: And I would think consistency is a good thing. Oftentimes clients at that age don’t have that within their life anyways.
Matt Brown: That is correct, absolutely. Being consistent and showing consistency to these people is something that they typically have not had growing up.
Again, it’s providing the resources to them so they understand, “I don’t have to continue down this path. This doesn’t have to define me.”
Unfortunately there’s just so many situations where the resources haven’t been available to a juvenile, whether it be their parents aren’t around, or it’s a single parent situation.
Maybe mom works all the time and they’re just missing that ray of hope. They’re just missing that person that can put their arm around them and say, “Hey, look man. You’re really screwing up here. You need to turn your life around. You really need to turn the corner.”
I find out so much with my juvenile clients that that’s really all they want. You’re not yelling at them. You’re providing that hope to them. It’s somebody taking an interest in what they’re doing and telling them, “Hey man, I see you and this doesn’t have to be you.”
Jessica Ambuehl: I feel like Combs Watterkoote has a new tagline, “A Ray of Hope.”
If you need Missouri’s leading criminal defense and juvenile crimes law firm to protect the rights and futures of yourself or someone you love, call us today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free case review.
