Phillip Menditto Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer

Juvenile Cases

When a person under the age of eighteen is charged with a crime in Florida, the case is often handled in the Juvenile Justice System. The Juvenile Justice System is different than the adult Criminal Justice System in that the system is focused on rehabilitating juveniles, rather than punishing them. However, in limited instances, some juvenile cases are "Direct Filed" to adult court. Direct filed cases are usually the result of a repeat juvenile offender or an offender who has committed a serious crime.

Mr. Menditto is experienced at handling juvenile cases and would welcome the opportunity to guide you and your child through the juvenile justice system. 

Contrary to popular belief, a juvenile offense can have serious consequences for both the child and the parent, so legal guidance is extremely important.  Due to the nature of "Direct Filing (filing the charges as an adult)" by the State Attorney's Office, contacting Mr. Menditto as early as possible is extremely important.  The first attack at this stage in the proceeding is that Mr. Menditto will contact the State Attorney's Office and make every attempt to stop this "direct filing" from happening.  There is a world of difference in facing or having your child face a charge as a juvenile as opposed to facing the same charge as an adult resulting from the State Attorney's Office "direct filing" on you or your child.