Defending Juvenile Delinquency Petitions in Illinois

The juvenile court system is designed to address minors who have allegedly committed criminal offenses. Unlike the adult criminal system, juvenile court primarily focuses on remediation and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Juvenile court proceedings are tightly governed by statute and at times can feature the input of many different voices - parents, probation officers, and a unique judicial role.

This course, presented by Chuck Rohde from the Wheaton, Illinois firm of Rohde & Infelise, will provide an overview of the juvenile delinquent process in juvenile court and to discuss important strategies in representing minor clients in Illinois Juvenile Courts.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the differences between adult and juvenile courts in order, including the legal concepts particular to juvenile courts
2. Discuss the alternative routes to a juvenile court prosecution including diversion programs, station adjustments, and pre-adjudication remedies
3. Analyze the evidentiary aspects of juvenile cases and motion practice designed to suppress evidence in juvenile cases
4. Identify post-sentencing issues when a minor has been placed on supervision or probation and is being monitored by the court through probation services