Juvenile and Child Welfare Attorneys in Virginia

Beyond custody, visitation, and support, juveniles (or persons under 18 years of age) can become the subject of legal proceedings before the Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court (“JDR Court”) in three distinct ways:  1) delinquency; 2) status-based offenses (an act prohibited by law which would not be an offense if committed by an adult; and 3) child welfare proceedings.  If your child is charged with a crime, requires services or supervision, or is the subject of an abuse and neglect matter, it is important to hire an attorney who understands the procedures of JDR Court.  The attorneys at Patel & Williams are passionate about juvenile issues and have significant experience in these highly-nuanced areas of the law.  

According to Section 16.1-227 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, “the welfare of the child and the family, the safety of the community, and the protection of the rights of victims are the paramount concerns of the Commonwealth” and the JDR Court has been granted all necessary and incidental powers and authority to effectuate the following purposes

• To divert from or within the juvenile justice system those children who can be cared for or treated through alternative programs;
• To provide judicial procedures in which the parties are assured a fair hearing and their constitutional and other rights are recognized and enforced;
• To separate a child from such child’s parents or other custodian when the child’s welfare is endangered and after consideration of alternatives to out-of-home placement which afford effective protection to the child, his family, and the community; and
• To protect the community against those acts of its citizens, both juveniles and adults, which are harmful to others and to reduce the incidence of delinquent behavior and to hold offenders accountable for their behavior.

To learn more about the juvenile justice process, status-based offenses (CHINS), and child welfare matters in Virginia, please follow the links at the bottom of the page.  

• Delinquency and the Juvenile Justice Process
• Child in Need of Services or Child in Need of Supervision (CHINS)
• Abuse and Neglect and Guardians Ad Litem

If you or your child are involved in a matter before the JDR Court in Northern Virginia, contact the attorneys at Patel & Williams at (703) 522-2777.