Richmond Juvenile Defense Attorney

Defending Against Juvenile Crime Charges in Virginia

Has your son or daughter been arrested? Their future is on the line. Make no mistake—the consequences of a juvenile conviction are steep, long-lasting and could possibly affect their ability to get into college, get a good job, or live in safe neighborhoods. When your family member is facing serious consequences, speak with the Richmond juvenile crimes defense lawyer at the Law Office of Paul C. Galanides, P.C. Mr. Galanides has spent 27 years resolving thousands of criminal cases, helping people get their charges dismissed or reduced or winning acquittal at trial.

Why Choose Attorney Paul C. Galanides for Your Juvenile Case:

• Over 27 years of dedicated legal experience
• Unique insights as a former public defender and prosecutor
• Former Assistant Attorney General in Virginia and Kentucky
• Personalized defense strategies for every client
• Proven track record in the Virginia court system

Virginia's Juvenile Justice System

Juvenile criminal justice is similar to criminal justice for adults in our state. However, the terms are different. Your son or daughter will have an adjudication hearing instead of a trial, and their case may be determined to be "delinquent" (guilty) or "not delinquent." Most importantly, however, your child still has the right to a lawyer. Mr. Galanides has been that lawyer for many young adults and their parents throughout Virginia, guiding families to a favorable judgment, and often to a complete dismissal of the charges.

As a former prosecutor and public defender, Mr. Galanides spent a significant portion of his lengthy career handling cases in juvenile court. He has helped families get criminal records sealed or expunged, helped them walk away from serious charges, and helped families overturn convictions on appeal.

Is it Possible to Have Juvenile Court Records Destroyed in Virginia?

It is possible to have your juvenile court records destroyed by expungement which becomes sealed. If your juvenile court records are expunged, it is like they never even existed. If you get them expunged, you can tell employers, landlords, licensing agencies that you were never arrested as a juvenile delinquent. There are factors that allow your juvenile records from being sealed such as age, when you committed the crime, seriousness of the offense, later convictions, or arrests.

Will a Juvenile Record Show up on an FBI Background Check?

A juvenile record can still show up on an FBI background check. Even if you get your juvenile crime expunged, law enforcement agencies can still access them, only the majority of the public cannot see expunged records but law enforcement agencies can still see them.