Juvenile Defense Attorney in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Family Court Defense Backed by Former Prosecutors

When a child is arrested, the stakes are immediate and the system moves fast. Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC represents juveniles in delinquency proceedings at Philadelphia Family Court, and our criminal defense attorneys bring over 100 years of combined experience across criminal defense, civil rights litigation, and complex litigation in both state and federal courts. Several of our attorneys have worked inside Philadelphia’s juvenile system as former prosecutors, and that experience shapes how we build a defense from day one.

Pennsylvania’s juvenile system is distinct from adult criminal court. A minor found responsible for a delinquent act is adjudicated delinquent rather than convicted, and proceedings are handled by the Juvenile Branch of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. That distinction matters for your child’s future, and it means the defense strategy has to fit the system.

If your child has been arrested or is under investigation in Philadelphia, contact us now for a complimentary consultation. Our team is available 24/7 at (215) 550-1999.

What Sets Our Juvenile Defense Attorneys Apart

Former-prosecution experience changes how we read a case. Our attorneys have been on the other side of these proceedings and understand how the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Juvenile Justice Unit evaluates evidence, assesses risk, and decides which cases to pursue. That perspective shapes every decision we make, starting at the first hearing.

We don’t settle for outcomes that aren’t in a client’s best interest. Our firm has a genuine trial record, and we bring that readiness to every case while still providing the personalized attention a family navigating the juvenile system for the first time needs. You won’t be passed off to a paralegal or left without answers.

Our commitment to Philadelphia’s young people extends beyond the courtroom. The attorneys at Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC established The Bull Foundation, Inc., which supports the educational endeavors of youth in Philadelphia and Erie. That work reflects the same values that drive how we handle juvenile cases: we’re invested in helping young people pursue a real future.

How a Juvenile Case Moves Through Philadelphia Family Court

After an arrest, a young person may be released to their family or held at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center, the city’s only secure juvenile detention facility, while a detention hearing is scheduled. Getting counsel involved at this stage, before decisions about detention are made, is one of the most important steps a family can take.

A Juvenile Probation Officer or hearing officer then assesses the case. Depending on the offense and the young person’s history, the case may be directed toward dismissal, informal adjustment, a consent decree (a voluntary agreement to meet certain conditions), or a formal adjudicatory hearing.

• An Assistant District Attorney from the Juvenile Justice Unit must prove the allegations
• Our attorneys can cross-examine witnesses and present evidence on your child’s behalf
• There is no jury; a judge determines whether the allegations are proven

If the allegations are proven, the case proceeds to a disposition hearing, where the judge selects from options including probation, community service, or placement in a residential program. We represent juveniles at every stage of this process, from the detention hearing through disposition.

When Philadelphia Prosecutors Pursue Adult Charges Against a Juvenile

Pennsylvania law allows certain juveniles to be tried as adults for serious offenses, including murder or offenses involving a deadly weapon, under Title 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. When a child faces adult prosecution in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the consequences shift dramatically. Adult sentencing exposure can include mandatory minimums, and bail considerations differ significantly from what applies in Family Court.

Decertification is the process of petitioning to move a case back to the juvenile system. That hearing takes place in the Court of Common Pleas, where the defense must demonstrate the juvenile is receptive to rehabilitation. The analysis is fact-specific and time-sensitive. Our attorneys handle decertification proceedings and know what the court looks for in making that determination.

Talk to a Philadelphia Juvenile Defense Lawyer Today

The decisions made early in a juvenile case can affect what options remain available later. The sooner a juvenile defense attorney in Philadelphia is involved, the better positioned your family can be to navigate what comes next. Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC offers a complimentary consultation and is available around the clock. Call (215) 550-1999 to speak with our team.