Juvenile cases
When a teenager or young adult is charged with a crime, the case often goes to a special court or follows special rules, depending on the person's age at the time of the incident. Below is how New York handles it. Parents: the first step is the same as for any arrest, no questioning without a lawyer.
What it means
Age matters in a criminal case. The age at the time of the incident, not the age today, often decides which court hears it and which rules apply. Young people are also more likely to talk to the police, apologize or post online, so parents should step in early.
Court by court
New York
Under Raise the Age, an "adolescent offender" is a person charged with a felony committed at age 16 (on or after October 1, 2018) or at age 17 (on or after October 1, 2019) [1]. The youth part of the superior court has exclusive jurisdiction over juvenile offenders and adolescent offenders, with exceptions the law sets out [2].
For youthful offender purposes, a "youth" is a person charged with a crime alleged to have been committed when at least 16 and less than 19 years old (or a juvenile offender) [3]. Whether youthful offender treatment is available in a given case is a question for your lawyer.
A juvenile or adolescent offender held in jail for more than 30 days after being held for grand jury action, without action by the grand jury, must on application be released on recognizance, unless the delay came from the defense or the prosecution shows good cause [4].
New Jersey, Florida, Pennsylvania and federal court
Each of these courts has its own rules for young people, and whether a case starts in a juvenile or family court or an adult court depends on the age and the charge. Call us and we will tell you which court your child's case is in and what comes next.
What parents should do now
- Do not let your child answer police questions, even with you present. Ask for a lawyer.
- Do not ask your child for the details on the phone or by text. Talk in person, and save the details for the lawyer.
- Ask your child not to post, message friends about the case, or contact the complaining witness.
- Gather school records, a birth certificate and proof of address for the lawyer.
For the steps ahead, use What happens next or the New York court page. The family page covers the first night.
Common questions
The police want to talk to my child with me in the room. Is that safe?
No. Do not let your child answer questions, even with you present, until you have spoken to a lawyer. Say your child will not answer questions without a lawyer.
Should my child talk to the school about it?
Not about the facts. Tell the school only what it needs to know about attendance, and have your lawyer advise on anything more.
Sources
- N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 1.20(44) (rev. 2025-05-16). Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 722.10(1) (rev. 2025-11-28). Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 720.10(1) (rev. 2024-09-06). Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
- N.Y. Crim. Proc. Law § 190.80 (rev. 2019-10-04). Current as of November 11, 2026. Official text
Arrested, or think you might be? Call before you answer any questions.
Call and tell us who was arrested or contacted and where the case is. A lawyer will tell you what happens next and what to do tonight. Please do not type what happened into a form or an email. We will talk about it on the phone.