Juvenile Charges

Central Florida Juvenile Representation

The lifetime impact of a juvenile charge is significant. Colleges require full disclosure of juvenile convictions and a juvenile record may result in the loss of scholarships and impact your child’s ability to receive financial aid. Juvenile offenders are governed by the same set of laws as adults, and if they break those laws, they can be charged with a crime.

The Juvenile Process

Here is a brief overview of the juvenile justice system in Florida:

  • If a minor has an encounter with law enforcement, the youth will be taken into custody.
  • While in custody, the youth will be administered a Detention Risk Assessment Instrument, or DRAI, the results of which will determine Whether the juvenile will be detained in a secure or non-secure facility, or at their home. Your child may be detained for up to 21 days awaiting disposition of the matter.
  • A judge, not a jury, will hear the matter. If the juvenile is “adjudicated,” this means the judge found your child guilty. The judge may, alternatively, withhold adjudication; “adjudication withheld” is where a judge determines the juvenile committed an unlawful act, but does not formally make the ruling. The most significant difference, however, is that only those juveniles who have been adjudicated are committed to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

There are many programs and criteria that may apply to your case that are not discussed above. Moreover, there are some instances in which a juvenile may be charged as an adult. Because the juvenile justice system is structured around rehabilitation, the process is much more tailored to the individual offender, which is why it important to seek out the advice of a knowledgeable juvenile attorney as soon as possible.

Sealing and Expunging Juvenile Records

Criminal records of juveniles may be sealed or expunged, thereby making them inaccessible to the public. To discuss whether your case qualifies for expunction, or a seal, contact the Law Offices of Tad A. Yates.

Contact Us

Mr. Yates is available to speak with you about your son or daughter’s legal matter. Contact our office to schedule a consultation to discuss the case.

attorney

Mr. Yates is a past-President of the Orange County Bar Association and the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association. He previously served as Chair of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 9th Judicial Circuit. 

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Testimonials

  • When I met Tad Yates, I was frantic, scared and misinformed about the legalities of my case. He quickly reassured me that everything was going to be alright and started at once preparing my defense. Every time I needed to speak with him, he was there to give advice and inform me the status of my case. As a result of his hard work, he managed to get my case dismissed and this blemish off my record. If you’re thinking of hiring or consulting with Mr. Yates, your in great hands.

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  • Tad is an excellent attorney. Due to a momentary lapse in judgement, I was put in a bad position and could not be more grateful that I hired Tad. From the moment I met Tad, I knew that I was in great hands! Tad explained to me all possible outcomes of the case and really helped put my mind at ease. In the end, I wound up with a very positive outcome and I owe it all to him. Tad was always available when I needed to speak with him and I couldn’t be happier that I hired him. Without the help and guidance of Tad, I’m not sure where I would be today. Tad is not only an amazing attorney, but an all-around great person!

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  • I do not have enough words to describe how amazing the experience with this attorney was. He works very hard to obtain the best results for his clients. I could not have asked for better services. I had exceptional fast results, I highly recommend this attorney. Thank you again, Tad Yates.

  • After consulting with several different highly recommended lawyers, I decided to hire Tad. It was a decision that would truly effect my life in a very profound way. Tad never promised results, he did however layout his experience and give me his word he would put all his effort into my case. I felt that was the honesty I deserved. He was sincere, honest, and reliable. Every time we attended court he seemed to hold a very good relationship with all the court's people. My case with Tad lasted about 9 months. There were many times I wanted to break down, not knowing what the results would ultimately be; however Tad always personalized my case and would constantly provide me with assurance of his efforts. He was always extremely accessible. This gave me a lot of peace. The results of my case ended up being extremely satisfying. I was looking at losing everything, for good. I now have my peace, my freedom, and I am currently very successful. Even after my case, Tad kept tabs with me and ensured I was doing as I should. There is a handful of people God put in my life of whom helped me get to the next level, there is no denying Tad is one of them.

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  • Tad came highly recommended. Set up a consultation and after meeting him, hired him immediately. Tad is extremely knowledgeable, efficient and truly cares. He was always available to speak and support during a very difficult situation. Although he has many clients, he always made us feel important and took the time necessary to ensure our questions were answered and that we were comfortable with strategy and next steps. He ultimately achieved the desired result and we are forever grateful.

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  • When I met Tad Yates, I was frantic, scared and misinformed about the legalities of my case. He quickly reassured me that everything was going to be alright and started at once preparing my defense. Every time I needed to speak with him, he was there to give advice and inform me the status of my case. As a result of his hard work, he managed to get my case dismissed and this blemish off my record. If you’re thinking of hiring or consulting with Mr. Yates, your in great hands.- A.

    I was referred to Tad by a friend of the family. They told me what he did for them and assured me that he would do the same for me. He exceeded my expectations from start to finish. He used his knowledge of the law, professionalism and relationship skills to have my case completely dropped. No plea deals what so ever. He never once doubted me however he did explain exactly what we had to overcome. If you find yourself in a situation that could impact you for the rest of your life, whether you did anything wrong or not I would encourage you to give him a call.

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Ratings & Reviews

  • google
    5.0/5.0

    Strongly recommend Tad Yates as an attorney as well as his office staff, Kathy. They are absolutely on top of their game. Very attentive, astute and courteous. The kindness and understanding shown by their office is incomparable. They have ...
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    — Louis .Tsantes

  • lawyers
    5.0/5.0

    Time spent in any legal process can be stressful. Tad is a great communicator and put me at ease with the process. His knowledge and plan of action where exactly what I needed. I would definitely recommend giving his office a call if you ar...
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    — Client

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    5.0/5.0

    I was highly recommended by a former Circuit Judge in Orlando to contact Mr Yates. He immediately took my call and put me at ease immediately. After his investigation into the matter he agreed to take my case. I never met him in person and ...
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    — Farrell Gordon

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    5.0/5.0

    If you're reading this and you have a case pending, you need to stop immediately and call Tad's office. Take it from someone who has been there, Tad is a consummate professional and highly skilled tactician who will get you the best possibl...
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    — Brenden McDaniels

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    5.0/5.0

    Tad is fantastic. Not only did he get my case dismissed in a timely manner, but he also made himself available over the holidays to provide advice and refer me to another law firm. He truly cares about his clients. I would highly recommend ...
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    — Leah