In Ohio, a minor child or juvenile is anyone under the age of 18 years old. 

When a juvenile is charged with a delinquent or unruly act, that child will be brought before a judge or magistrate at the Juvenile Court. 

Sometimes, the state will transfer or attempt to transfer a child out of the juvenile system to be tried as an adult. This process is called a juvenile bindover. 

Types of Juvenile Offenses

• Unruly Child
• Traffic offenses 
• Underage Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence (UOVI)
• Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP)
• Juvenile Drug Crimes 
• Juvenile Marijuana Possession 
• Juvenile Violent Crimes Juvenile 
• Theft crimes 
• Juvenile Vandalism 
• Juvenile Sex Offenders

Police Involvment in Juvenile Crime

Law enforcement officers have the power to take a child into custody after they have allegedly committed a delinquent or unruly act. The officers may hold the child for no more than 3-6 hours, depending on the alleged offense. Once the child is released from the officers, the child may be given to the child’s parents or guardian, or brought to a detention center. 

Glossary of Terms Used in Juvenile Law

A juvenile delinquent is a child who violates the laws of the state of Ohio that would be an offense if committed by an adult.

A serious youthful offender is a child who is punishable with a mandatory sentence. Serious youthful offenders are children of a certain age who committed a certain act but who was not transferred to an adult court for the offense. 

An unruly child is a child who is a habitual truant, does not submit to control of the child’s parents or guardian, behaves in way that will injure their health or the health of another, or violates the law. 

Portage County Juvenile Defense Attorneys

Whether you are a juvenile who has been accused of a crime or a parent of a juvenile who has been accused of a crime, our attorneys can assist you in defending your rights in court. 

It is important to hire a lawyer to aid you through this process to avoid potentially serious consequences. Portage and Summit County Lawyers Mary Santez and Christopher Langholz handle all issues relating to Juvenile Law.