Has anyone had a situation where talking to the judge or prosecutor in a juvenile case made things worse?

Seeking Advice
1

I’ve been wondering if it ever makes things worse for clients when speaking to the judge or prosecutor in favor of a juvenile, especially when it involves issues in the child’s home life. We’re third parties wanting to speak to the judge/prosecutor because we think most of the delinquent behavior stems from the home situation. Any thoughts or experiences with this?

2

In my experience, it’s usually helpful to share info about the home life with the judge. It doesn’t tend to make things worse. But, it’s best if an attorney handles presenting this info, since they have the credibility with the court.

3

@Daphne
Yeah, I agree. Having an attorney speak on your behalf makes it seem more professional and credible. But still, it’s always risky, right?

4

Xenaida said:
@Daphne
Yeah, I agree. Having an attorney speak on your behalf makes it seem more professional and credible. But still, it’s always risky, right?

Definitely. It’s a fine line. But I’ve seen it work well when it’s done the right way. Just make sure the attorney knows how to handle the situation.

5

If you’re looking to speak with the judge or prosecutor directly, it’s important to know that they might already have enough information from other sources. But it can still be useful to raise these concerns in the right way, through an attorney or even through a custody petition if that’s relevant.

6

@Azar
Got it, we are considering a petition for custody, so that might help us have a more solid case to approach them. Thanks!

7

I’ve been in a similar situation and we ended up finding another lawyer to take over. The previous one kept saying things would backfire. It was frustrating.

8

Colby said:
I’ve been in a similar situation and we ended up finding another lawyer to take over. The previous one kept saying things would backfire. It was frustrating.

Oh man, that sounds frustrating. Have you found a lawyer who’s more on your side?

9

@Orion
Yes, we’re still looking. But the one we spoke to seemed much more confident and less focused on what could backfire.

10

I totally get where you’re coming from. Speaking out can sometimes help, but it’s always best to make sure it’s done through the right channels. A petition or attorney involvement is key to making sure your message is heard clearly and effectively.

11

It sounds like you’ve been dealing with this for a while. Hopefully, once your new attorney is on board, they can help speed things up. It really is about getting the right person to advocate for you.