Charlotte Juvenile Crime Lawyer

Top-Rated Juvenile Crime Attorney in Charlotte, NC

Being charged with a criminal offense can be stressful at any age. For minors, the experience can be even more overwhelming. If your child is facing charges, a skilled Charlotte juvenile crime lawyer can defend them.

Trust Steven T. Meier, PLLC Attorneys at Law

At Steven T. Meier, PLLC, we are committed to providing our clients with compassionate legal services and robust representation. No matter what type of crime your child has been accused of, we can leverage the full weight of our experience, skill, and knowledge to pursue a positive outcome in their case. If you need a Charlotte criminal defense lawyer to represent your child in juvenile court, contact us as soon as possible.

Why Hire a Juvenile Crime Lawyer?

There were 12,572 juveniles accused of 34,845 crimes across North Carolina in 2024. The statewide delinquency rate that year was 24.9 per 1,000 youth, marking the lowest delinquency rate since 2021. That said, there are still many minors in North Carolina accused of crimes each year. If your child is one of them, you need to hire a juvenile crime lawyer who can help.

A Charlotte juvenile crime attorney can explain the charges being levied against your child and defend them in court. We know how stressful it can be to face involvement with the criminal justice system at a young age, so our firm provides staunch advocacy for defendants under the age of 18. Working with one of our skilled attorneys is an effective way to improve their odds of a successful outcome.

What Is a Juvenile Court?

The juvenile courts in North Carolina differ from the adult criminal justice system. They have separate sentencing guidelines that are focused on correcting behavior rather than punishing offenders. Nevertheless, having a child involved in the juvenile court system can still feel worrisome and overwhelming.

Most crimes committed by minors are handled in juvenile courts. The exceptions are traffic violations committed by 16- and 17-year-olds and serious felonies committed by minors over the age of 13, both of which are typically handled by adult courts. Misdemeanors and non-violent crimes are almost always kept in the juvenile court system.

What to Expect

Juvenile court cases are heard at the Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office, located inside the Mecklenburg County Courthouse at 832 E 4th St. The exact juvenile court process varies, depending on whether:

• The minor being charged is delinquent or undisciplined.
• They are in secure or nonsecure custody.
• They are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor.

Generally, you can expect the process to involve two distinct components:

1. Adjudicatory hearing: The adjudicatory hearing is the juvenile court equivalent of a trial. The court hears evidence to determine whether the facts being alleged are true. Juveniles have the right to be represented by legal counsel during adjudicatory hearings.
2. Disposition hearing: The disposition hearing mimics the sentencing phase of an adult criminal trial, but it’s important to note that a juvenile disposition is not a sentence. It’s a plan designed to rehabilitate the juvenile and hold them accountable for their delinquent or undisciplined behavior.

Dispositional options available for delinquent juveniles vary, depending on the child’s history and the seriousness of the act.

Juvenile Crime Penalties

Judges can assign several types of juvenile crime penalties if they find the minor guilty of committing an offense. They can include:

• Probation
• Supervision
• Evaluation and treatment
• Community service
• Restitution
• Confinement

Delinquent youth can be confined in a youth development center or a detention center. The length of confinement can vary, depending on the severity of the crime and the youth’s history with the criminal justice system.

The penalties for undisciplined juveniles are more limited. Options include:

• Placing a juvenile on protective supervision
• Ordering a juvenile to comply with evaluation and treatment
• Placing a juvenile in the custody of social services or a county department

Undisciplined juveniles have not been accused of committing crimes. Instead, they:

• Are regularly found in places where it’s unlawful for youth to be.
• Have run away from home for more than 24 hours.
• Are regularly disobedient to their parents or guardians.
• Are unlawfully absent from school.

FAQs

Can a 17-Year-Old Go to Jail in NC?

A 17-year-old can go to jail in North Carolina if they are tried, convicted, and sentenced as an adult. Under North Carolina’s Raise the Age Law, most lower-level crimes committed by 17-year-olds are handled by the juvenile justice system, but a minor can be sent to adult court and face incarceration if they committed a serious felony or the judge transfers the case from juvenile to adult court.

What Are the Most Common Crimes in Juvenile Court?

The most common crimes in juvenile court throughout North Carolina are breaking or entering a motor vehicle, simple assault, and larceny. In 2025, 54% of juvenile offenses were for Class 1-3 misdemeanors. These offenses included assault, disorderly conduct, affray, larceny, and shoplifting. However, more serious crimes were also tried in juvenile courts.

What Is the Most Common Punishment for Juveniles in NC?

The most common punishment for juveniles in North Carolina is probation. Courts typically choose this over incarceration because the juvenile court system prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. Probation programs are often paired with mandatory counseling, restitution, and community service. Many first-time offenders receive continuance or diversion away from formal adjudication entirely.

What Is the Juvenile Law in NC?

The juvenile law in North Carolina is Chapter 7B of the North Carolina General Statutes. It defines a juvenile as a person under the age of 18 who is not married, emancipated, or in the military. Juvenile court handles all cases involving youths ages six to 17, except for traffic violations and serious felonies committed by 16- and 17-year-olds, which are handled in adult courts.

Your Charlotte Juvenile Crime Lawyer

If your child is facing criminal charges, you need to work with a skilled Charlotte juvenile crime lawyer who has experience with the juvenile court system. Steven T. Meier, PLLC Attorneys at Law, can provide the representation your child needs. Our team has extensive knowledge of juvenile crime laws and has taken on many complex juvenile cases. We have decades of combined experience and a reputation for providing hands-on, client-centered legal services. Contact our office to schedule a consultation today.