Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer Tampa, FL
If your child has been arrested or questioned by police in Hillsborough County, our attorneys are here to help. Charges filed against a minor can limit college admission, scholarships, military service, and job prospects years later, even when the record is eventually sealed. Our Tampa, FL juvenile criminal defense lawyer has spent nearly 15 years defending clients in Tampa Bay courts and knows how quickly a juvenile case can pick up momentum. We work to slow that momentum down and give your child room to move forward.
Why Choose StechLaw Criminal Defense for Juvenile Defense in Tampa, FL?
Juvenile cases run on a different track than adult cases, and the attorney you hire should understand that track from the inside. Our firm has represented families across Tampa and the surrounding counties in delinquency matters ranging from first-time misdemeanors to transfer-eligible felonies.
Former Prosecutor With Board Certification
Ben Stechschulte is board certified in criminal trial law, a distinction held by roughly one percent of Florida attorneys. He previously served as a prosecutor in Hillsborough County before moving to the defense side. That background matters in juvenile court. Ben has tried more than 60 cases to verdict and knows how the State Attorney’s Office evaluates juvenile files, what earns diversion consideration, and what triggers a direct file petition. He graduated from Stetson University College of Law and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2015.
Proven Results for Families Across Tampa Bay
We’ve helped many clients resolve juvenile cases without adjudication, secure diversion placements, and avoid commitment to state facilities. Our criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, FL approaches every case with the understanding that a single adjudication can follow a young person for years. We push for outcomes that preserve options.
Clear Communication From the First Call
Parents often describe the period after a juvenile arrest as disorienting. We don’t add to that. From the initial consultation forward, we explain the charges, the likely timeline, the diversion possibilities, and the risks of each path. You’ll know what’s happening and why.
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“I had an amazing experience with Attorney Ben Stechschulte and his team. From our first consultation, Mr. Stechschulte took the time to really listen and answered all of my questions thoroughly, which gave me a lot of confidence moving forward.” — Evgeniia Kostenko
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Types of Juvenile Criminal Defense Cases We Handle in Tampa
Juvenile filings in Hillsborough County span the full range of offenses enumerated in Florida’s delinquency code. The specific charge, the minor’s prior involvement with the juvenile system, and the underlying factual circumstances each influence the defense strategy available to counsel. Our firm handles cases including the following:
- Drug possession. Offenses involving marijuana, prescription medication, and controlled substances represent a substantial portion of juvenile filings, frequently arising from school searches or traffic stops. The quantity involved, the location of the alleged offense, and the minor’s prior record each affect the resolution of these cases.
- Sex offenses. These matters carry among the most serious long-term consequences in the juvenile system, including potential registration requirements. Every element of the investigation warrants thorough review.
- Theft crimes. Shoplifting, vehicle burglary, and residential burglary charges frequently involve first-time offenders. Diversion may be available for lower-level theft offenses depending on the circumstances.
- Underage DUI. Florida enforces a .02 blood alcohol concentration standard for drivers under 21. A conviction results in automatic license suspension and may impose additional court-ordered requirements.
- Assault and battery. School altercations, group incidents, and matters involving weapons fall within these statutory provisions. Claims of self-defense and the involvement of additional participants are frequently relevant during the investigative phase.
- Gun crimes. Possession of a firearm by a minor is prosecuted as a serious offense, and the lawfulness of the discovery of the weapon is often central to the defense.
- Cybercrime and sexting offenses. Digital evidence requires thorough technical review, and the distinction between juvenile and adult prosecution is particularly narrow in these matters.
- Vandalism and property damage. These cases typically result in restitution obligations in addition to other sanctions and may resolve through diversion.
- Status offenses. Truancy, curfew violations, and running away are applicable only to minors under Florida law. Repeated status offenses may subject a family to extended court supervision.
- Felonies subject to adult transfer. Robbery, carjacking, and certain violent felonies may be filed directly in adult court by the state attorney. We work to retain such cases within the juvenile court system whenever the facts and law support that outcome.
Florida Legal Requirements for Juvenile Criminal Defense
The Florida juvenile justice system operates under Florida Statute Chapter 985, which governs everything from intake through disposition. Unlike adult criminal court, the stated purpose of the juvenile system is rehabilitation and public safety, not pure punishment. That policy affects how cases are charged, how hearings are run, and what sentencing options a judge can consider.
Several specific provisions matter in most Tampa juvenile cases. Under Section 985.12, Florida established a civil citation program that allows officers to divert first-time misdemeanor offenders away from formal arrest. A child who completes the program avoids an arrest record altogether. Not every officer uses the program, but when it applies, getting a child into it early can prevent the case from entering the formal court system.
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice handles intake, detention, and post-disposition supervision. After an arrest, DJJ conducts a risk assessment that helps determine whether a child is released to a parent, placed on home detention, or held in secure detention. The decisions made in those first 24 hours often set the tone for the rest of the case.
Florida also allows the state attorney to direct file certain juvenile cases in adult court under Section 985.557. This is one of the most serious turning points in any juvenile case. Once a child is prosecuted as an adult, adult sentencing ranges apply. Fighting a direct file decision, or negotiating against one before it’s made, takes immediate legal intervention.
Important Aspects of a Tampa Juvenile Criminal Defense Case
The Detention Hearing
Within 24 hours of a child being taken into custody, a detention hearing is held. The judge decides whether the child goes home, stays in secure detention, or is placed on home detention with restrictions. We move fast to prepare for this hearing. A strong presentation about school attendance, family supervision, and community ties often makes the difference between a child sleeping at home or in a DJJ facility that night.
Intake and the Diversion Decision
After arrest, a juvenile probation officer reviews the case and recommends how it should proceed. Options include diversion programs, formal petition, or direct file to adult court. This is a critical moment. Getting relevant information in front of intake and the state attorney’s office, whether that’s school records, counselor evaluations, or context about the incident, can shift the recommendation away from formal prosecution.
Adjudication vs. Withhold of Adjudication
In juvenile court, being found to have committed the offense is called adjudication of delinquency. Florida judges can also impose a withhold of adjudication, which allows a child to complete probation or other conditions without a formal finding on the record. Whether that option is available often depends on the charge, the plea negotiations, and the child’s history.
Disposition and Commitment Levels
If a case proceeds to disposition, Florida uses a graduated system that runs from probation through residential commitment. Commitment levels range from minimum-risk day treatment to maximum-risk programs for the most serious offenses. We advocate for the least restrictive option that addresses the court’s concerns, often presenting alternatives that keep children at home and in school.
Direct File and Adult Court Transfer
For older juveniles charged with certain felonies, the state attorney may elect to file the case in adult court. This removes the case from the rehabilitative framework of Chapter 985 entirely. Our firm has experience pushing back on direct file decisions and, where the case has already been filed in adult court, working toward youthful offender treatment that preserves sentencing flexibility.
Sealing and Expungement
A juvenile record is not automatically invisible once the child turns 18. Some records can be sealed or expunged, but not all offenses qualify, and the process has specific timing requirements. Understanding the long-term record implications is part of evaluating any plea offer.
Contact StechLaw Criminal Defense
If your child has been arrested, questioned, or notified of a pending charge in Tampa or anywhere in Hillsborough County, the sooner you call, the more options remain available. Our firm offers free consultations for juvenile cases. We’ll review what happened, explain where your child’s case stands right now, and talk through what comes next. Contact us to speak with a Tampa juvenile criminal defense attorney.
