I have practiced in Juvenile courts for 40 years, to include criminal law (delinquency proceedings) to dependency neglect (where families are broken apart by DHS action).
Face it, our youngsters do get in trouble and are faced with being charged with a crime (delinquency). The kind of lawyer needed is someone who knows how to balance vigorous defense and also understand why the child has gotten into trouble. My interest is not only getting the kid out of trouble but also getting to the cause of the problem. I have found the juvenile judges in this area to want a child to succeed; therefore, my relationships and understanding of the judges’ motivations set up my clients and families for long-term success.
Sometimes children are removed from their parents by the state, most commonly the Arkansas Department of Human Services. This frightening procedure is known as dependency neglect law. The process is emotional, confusing and scary; however, if you have an attorney with extensive experience in this area, you have a greater chance of ultimately reuniting as a stronger family. With my assistance, I can help families navigate DHS, the judge, case workers, investigators.