Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Arizona

By DM Cantor, a Top-Ranking Criminal Defense firm in Arizona for the last 6 years in a row by Ranking Arizona Magazine! (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

DM Cantor’s Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists (Left to Right) Managing Partner, Christine Whalin; Founding Partner, David Michael Cantor

Over 165 Complete Criminal Jury Trial Acquittals (i.e., Not Guilty on All Charges). The most in Arizona history by a single law firm!

Plus an additional 6,000 Case Dismissal and Reduction Case Victories!!

Click Here to See Juvenile Defense Victories

Beware: Any law firm or Attorney can have DM Cantor’s Phoenix Criminal Attorney website information rewritten by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and then they can post it online as their own “knowledge base.” But, they cannot falsely list our Jury Trial Complete Acquittals, or our Board Certifications, as their own. Also, many attorneys claim that they “specialize” in criminal defense, but only a “Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist” is allowed by the State Bar of Arizona to use this title as their own, per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization.

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialization

As of the start of 2025, the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization listed only 62 Criminal Law Specialists in the entire State. Of these 62, only 41 are located in Maricopa County and are allowed to handle private cases. DM Cantor has 2 Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists, no other law firm in Arizona has more. When defending Criminal Crimes Allegations, it is critical to have as many Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialists on your Legal Team as is possible.

The Specialization process is so rigorous that only 34 current Criminal Law Specialists were Certified since the turn of the Century! In addition, all Specialists must be approved for Re-Certification every 5 years. At DM Cantor, our 2 Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists have conducted Jury Trials on countless Criminal Crimes cases.

Every Major Felony Criminal Crimes case defended by DM Cantor includes at least 1 Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist on the legal team who is directly handling or supervising the Defense.

We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Juvenile Case Stages

The Juvenile Court system has an entirely different set of rules than that adult court system. The terminology is also different in that a “Crime” is called an “Act of Delinquency”. In addition “Pretrial Conferences” are called “Pre-adjudication Hearings”. The actual “Trial” is called “Adjudication Hearing”, and juveniles are not found to be “guilty”, they are found “delinquent”. Instead of a “Sentencing”, they have a “Disposition Hearing”. In reality, these juvenile terms mean almost exactly the same thing as they do in adult court. The following list on the right hand side of the site lists all of the case stages involved in the juvenile process in chronological order.

Stage 1: Juvenile Detention Hearing

Once a juvenile is arrested and taken into custody, the Court must decide whether they will release the juvenile, or whether to hold the juvenile until they can conduct a Juvenile “Detention Hearing”.

Watch this short video where David explains about Juvenile Detention Hearing:

If the juvenile is held, the Prosecutor has 24 hours after that decision to bring the juvenile before the Judge to conduct the Juvenile Detention Hearing.

The Judge will make the determination whether to release the juvenile to their parents or legal guardians (such as grandparents), as long as there is an avowal from the third party that they will bring the juvenile to the next court date.

The Judge will not release the juvenile if there is probable cause to believe that the juvenile committed the crime alleged, and if one of the following five (5) factors:

The juvenile will not be present at the Hearing
The juvenile is likely to commit a crime which could hurt himself or others
There is a hold from another jurisdiction
The best interest of the juvenile or the public requires his protection
It is required that the juvenile be held pending the filing of a specific complaint in adult court

Stage 2: Juvenile Advisory Hearing

An “Advisory Hearing” is conducted in order to “advise” the juvenile of the exact charges being filed against him. He or she is also told that he or she has a right to an attorney, and if he cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to him at the Court’s expense. For those juveniles who receive a Summons to appear in Court, the Court will also address the Release Conditions for the juvenile while the case is pending.

Watch this short video where David explains about Juvenile Advisory Hearings in Arizona:

As part of this determination, the Court will have a Probation Officer contact the juvenile and the parents. The Probation Officer will obtain background information concerning the juvenile. They typically cover school and/or employment; drug and alcohol history; family history; and previous treatment, if applicable.

On occasion, in victim cases, the Probation Department will contact any alleged victims concerning their position with regard to Pre-adjudication Hearing release. After obtaining all the background information, the Probation Officer will make a recommendation to the Court as to what type of release, if any, is appropriate. The Court will then order release conditions which the Court believes are appropriate for the juvenile.

In many cases, the Court will release the juvenile to the custody of the parents. If a plea of “Not Guilty” is entered at the Advisory Hearing, then an “Adjudication Hearing” (i.e. a “Trial”) is set. This must occur within forty-five to sixty (45-60) days of the Advisory Hearing.

Stage 3: Transfers to Adult / Juvenile Court

In some very specific cases, the prosecution can ask the juvenile case to be transferred to the Adult Court in order to try the juvenile as an adult (and to also punish him as an adult). This only can occur in very specific serious felony offenses and if the juvenile is fourteen (14) years of age or older.

Watch this short video where David explains about Juvenile Transfer to Adult Court in Arizona:

An “automatic transfer” will occur if the juvenile is fifteen (15) years of age or older and has been alleged to have committed a violent crime. This would automatically include First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Rape or Forcible Sexual Assault, Armed Robbery, Aggravated Assault, and crimes of this nature.

In addition, if the juvenile has two (2) prior juvenile adjudications (i.e. two (2) prior “convictions”) and he believes it is required to protect the public’s safety, then the Prosecutor has discretion to transfer the juvenile to Adult Court by designating that juvenile a “chronic felony offender.”

In other situations, the Prosecutor must File a Motion with the Juvenile Court requesting the transfer of the juvenile. The Court has discretion in these situations and they will review all factors before making their determination. This Juvenile to Adult Court Transfer Hearing must be held within thirty (30) days of the Juvenile Advisory Hearing or within thirty (30) days after the Motion for Transfer was filed (whichever is later). If the Court denies the Motion for Transfer, then an “Adjudication Hearing” will take place approximately thirty (30) days after that ruling.

Stage 4: Pre-Adjudication Hearing

In some cases, between the date of the “Advisory Hearing” and the date of the “Adjudication Hearing”, the prosecution and defense will set a Juvenile Pre-Adjudication Hearing in order to discuss the status of the Discovery Process. The Discovery Process is where the prosecution turns over the police reports and other evidence against the juvenile. In exchange, the defense turns over their list of witnesses and any other potentially exculpatory evidence which they may possess. The two (2) parties agree to set interview dates of each other’s witnesses in order to facilitate the Discovery Process.

Watch this short video where David explains about Juvenile Pre-Adjudication Hearings in Arizona:

At the Juvenile Pre-Adjudication Hearing, sometimes one party will file motions asking for the Judge’s assistance in facilitating the Discovery Process. In addition, various evidentiary motions may be argued at this time. These motions may involve the admission or suppression of evidence, modification of release conditions, challenges to the law itself, or any other matter which may relate to the juvenile’s case.

Stage 5: Juvenile Plea Agreements

A “Plea Agreement” or “Plea Bargain” can be negotiated and entered at any time during the process. For example, if a juvenile is in the “pre-charge” stages, and was being investigated, the juvenile’s attorney could contact the Detective and prosecutor directly in order to work out a plea deal prior to even setting an Advisory Hearing.

Watch this short video where David explains about Juvenile Plea Agreements in Arizona:

Normally plea agreements are arrived at in between the “Advisory Hearing” and the “Adjudication Hearing”. Sometimes they are entered in during the “Pre-adjudication Hearing”, after substantive motions have been ruled on.

Once the Juvenile Plea Agreement (“Plea Bargain”) has been negotiated, the juvenile will enter the plea giving up their right to an Adjudication Hearing which consists of the following:

The right to compel the State to call witnesses against the juvenile
The right to cross-examine those witnesses
The right to remain silent
The right to file various motions
And even the right to Appeal.

If the Judge accepts the Juvenile Plea Bargain, then he will enter in a finding of delinquency, and then set the case for “Disposition Hearing” (i.e. Sentencing).

Stage 6: Juvenile Disposition Hearing

Once a Juvenile has either entered into a “Plea Agreement” or was adjudicated “Delinquent” at the “Adjudication Hearing”, then a “Disposition Hearing” will be held (i.e. a “Sentencing”). Before the actual Juvenile Disposition Hearing, but after a plea of guilty or an Adjudication of Delinquency, the Judge will request that a “Predisposition Report” (i.e. a “Presentence Report”) be conducted regarding the Juvenile.

Watch this short video where David explains about Juvenile Disposition Hearings in Arizona:

The Juvenile will meet with the Juvenile Probation Department and talk with a Predisposition Report Writer (P.R.W.) who will obtain basic background information regarding the Juvenile . In addition, they will allow the Juvenile to tell his side of the story and also make a recommendation as to what he feels the Sentencing should be.

Once this has all concluded, the P.R.W. will contact the Prosecutor for their input. When all of this is concluded, he will finalize his information in the form of a “Predisposition Report” which will be forwarded to the Judge within two to four (2-4) weeks.

The Juvenile Disposition Hearing must be held within thirty (30) days if the Juvenile is in custody, and it must be held within forty-five (45) days if the Juvenile is not in custody. At the time of the Juvenile Disposition Hearing, the Prosecutor can present “aggravating” evidence if he so chooses. The Defense Attorney can present “mitigating” evidence. A good Defense Attorney should always present mitigating evidence at the Sentencing phase.

If the Judge decides to sentence the Juvenile to incarceration, he can either send the Juvenile to the Juvenile Jail facility (for no more than one year or until the Juvenile’s eighteenth birthday- whichever is less), or to the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (i.e. prison) until the Juvenile’s eighteenth (18th) birthday. If the Judge is inclined to sentence the Juvenile to incarceration, normally it is for a specified period. The Judge can also sentence the Juvenile to Probation (with or without incarceration) and access fines. Once the Juvenile is released from Juvenile Jail, the probation term will follow. If the Juvenile is released from the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, then a term of “Community Supervision” (i.e. “Parole”), will commence. Both of these will terminate no later than the Juvenile’s eighteenth (18th) birthday. On Sex Offenses, the Judge can also order that the Juvenile register as a Sex Offender until his or her twenty-fifth (25th) birthday.

Stage 7: Juvenile Adjudication Hearing

A Juvenile “Adjudication Hearing” is basically a “Bench Trial”. In other words, it is a trial directly to the judge, not a jury. The State will proceed first by calling witnesses (both officers and civilians). Defense counsel then has a chance to cross examine each of these witnesses. After the State is done presenting its case, they will rest. At this point, the defense attorney can call witnesses on behalf of the defendant, and he can call the defendant himself (if the defendant chooses to testify). The State will then have a chance to cross examine the defense witnesses and the defendant.

Watch this short video where David explains about Juvenile Adjudication Hearings in Arizona:

If something new is brought up that caught the prosecution off guard, then they can present “rebuttal witnesses” to testify. Again, the defense will have a chance to cross examine those rebuttal witnesses. After all evidence is presented, then each side can make their closing arguments to the judge. Even though the Adjudication Hearing is taking place in Juvenile Court, the State still has to meet the same burden of proof (i.e. guilt beyond a reasonable doubt). If the judge does return a “delinquent” verdict (i.e. a “guilty” verdict) on one or more of the charges, then he will set the case over for a “Disposition Hearing”.

Click here… if you have not been charged with Juvenile yet, but the police are in the “pre-charge investigation stage” of your case.

Top Unlawful Flight from Police Lawyer

We are an AV® rated law firm (the highest possible rating by Martindale Hubbell®). Also David Michael Cantor is a Juvenile lawyer in Arizona, and a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, per the Arizona Board of Legal Specialization. In addition, the Firm and all of its lawyers are listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers®. At DM Cantor, the majority of our Attorneys are ex-Prosecutors, and all of our Juvenile Lawyers in Arizona know the system well.

The Collateral Consequences Of An Juvenile Conviction

The effects of a Juvenile conviction can be devastating. Even if a person is to receive Probation with no Jail, or a small Jail or Prison sentence, after they are released there will be lifelong effects on the Defendant. This can involve Lifetime Probation; job restrictions; apartment/dormitory restrictions or prohibitions; Professional Licenses being Revoked; loss or severe restriction of internet privileges; etc. Check the link below for information regarding what Collateral Consequences you or a loved one might be facing.

Click to see Comprehensive List and Explanation of Collateral Consequences regarding a Juvenile Conviction

Mitigation

When it comes to “Mitigation” regarding a charge of Juvenile Crimes, it is important to start that process right away. Not only can this help us with potentially convincing a Prosecutor to not file charges in the first place, but it may reduce the level of charges that they ultimately file. In addition, if there is a conviction later, this can be used to help reduce any type of Sentence if there is a “Range.” The Mitigating Factors which are considered by both the Prosecutor and the Courts includes Statutory and Non-Statutory elements.

Many items that we routinely include in our Mitigation Packages include Psychosexual Risk Evaluations; Polygraphs; Neuro-Psychological Evaluations; Counseling records; substance abuse Treatment and/or Rehabilitation; and a complete history of a person’s background. This can include Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), medical records, Counseling records, etc. Lastly. we often include what’s known as a “Proportionality Review/Sentencing Disparity” analysis in which we can show the Prosecutor and Court that similarly-situated Defendants received low Sentences. Click the link below to see a more detailed list of both Statutory and Non-Statutory Mitigating Factors.

Click here to see Helpful Mitigation Information

Work with a DM Cantor Phoenix Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyer Today For a Free Consultation

For a free consultation and free case evaluation with one of our Phoenix Juvenile Crimes Lawyers and Criminal Defense Lawyers, call our 24 hour Phoenix Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyers Hotline at 602-307-0808 , or click here for a free consultation on any criminal cases. Our aggressive Juvenile Crimes Lawyers always offer free consultations for an initial visit with our Phoenix Juvenile Crimes Defense Attorneys. We are often considered to be the “best Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyer”.

Free Initial Consultation
Open 24/7

Free Initial Consultation

Fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.

Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Arizona

Juvenile Defense Lawyer in Arizona

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialization

Juvenile Case Stages

Stage 1: Juvenile Detention Hearing

Stage 2: Juvenile Advisory Hearing

Stage 3: Transfers to Adult / Juvenile Court

Stage 4: Pre-Adjudication Hearing

Stage 5: Juvenile Plea Agreements

Stage 6: Juvenile Disposition Hearing

Stage 7: Juvenile Adjudication Hearing

The Collateral Consequences Of An Juvenile Conviction

Mitigation

Work with a DM Cantor Phoenix Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyer Today For a Free Consultation

Learn how we helped 100 top brands gain success