Juvenile Criminal Charges Lawyer in Denver, Colorado

siloutte of a child sitting in the hall of a juvenile detention center

Wolf Law is proud to serve Denver and surrounding communities, including Aurora and Lakewood, where a juvenile arrest can feel just as frightening for parents as for the child involved. The decisions made in the first hours after an arrest, a summons, or even a phone call from a detective often shape the entire outcome of a case.

Wolf Law represents individuals across Colorado with a criminal defense practice focused on preparation, strategy, and strong legal advocacy. Attorneys and Partners Jeff Wolf and Colleen Kelley lead the firm’s defense team, each bringing decades of trial experience and sharp legal analysis to juvenile cases and every other matter they handle across Colorado.

If your child has been questioned, arrested, or summoned to court, call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 for a free consultation before your child speaks with anyone else.

Juvenile Delinquency in Colorado

“Juvenile delinquency” refers to acts committed by minors between the ages of 10 and 18 that would be crimes if committed by an adult. Most cases move through Colorado’s juvenile court, which is structured differently from adult court and emphasizes rehabilitation alongside accountability.

Common Types of Juvenile Offenses

Some conduct is only criminal when committed by a minor, including curfew violations, truancy, and underage possession of alcohol, marijuana, or tobacco. Other offenses, such as possession of drug paraphernalia or driving under the influence, fall under county court jurisdiction even though the person charged is under 18. Our juvenile drug charges page covers these in more depth. Minors can also face the same misdemeanor and felony charges available under Colorado’s adult criminal code.

Policeman questioning witnesses during crime investigation — In Colorado, “juvenile delinquency” applies to the criminal acts of minors between the ages of 10 and 18.

When a Juvenile Can Be Tried as an Adult

Colorado allows adult prosecution through two paths. Direct file lets a district attorney file charges directly in adult court only if the juvenile was 16 or older and is alleged to have committed a class 1 or 2 felony or certain violent sexual offenses. Transfer moves a case from juvenile to adult court after a hearing, and can apply to juveniles as young as 12 for class 1 or 2 felonies, or 14 for other qualifying felonies. Both carry adult sentencing exposure.

Juvenile Offender Categorizations

Designations such as Mandatory Sentence Offender, Repeat Offender, Violent Offender, Aggravated Offender, and Habitual Offender can each affect bond, probation eligibility, sentence severity, and later eligibility for expungement, depending on prior adjudications and the offense involved.

Every case carries different exposure. Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 to understand what your family is facing.

The Juvenile Court Process, Step by Step

Referral or arrest: A school, parent, or officer refers the matter, or police take the juvenile into custody.
Intake screening: A probation officer decides whether to release the juvenile, refer to diversion, or file a petition.
Detention hearing: If held, a hearing generally occurs within about 48 hours to determine whether continued detention is warranted.
Petition filed: The district attorney formally files the delinquency petition.
Adjudication: The juvenile can admit to the allegations, or the case proceeds to a hearing where the state must prove them.
Disposition: The court’s equivalent of sentencing, which may include probation, community service, treatment, or detention.
Probation and compliance: Many juveniles are supervised with specific conditions to complete.
Expungement eligibility: Once the case concludes, certain records become eligible for expungement, automatically or by petition.

Diversion Programs for Colorado Juveniles

Diversion lets many first-time and lower-level offenders avoid formal adjudication entirely.

Eligibility: Generally available to first-time offenders and lower-level misdemeanor or non-violent charges, though criteria vary by county and by the district attorney’s office.
Typical requirements: Community service, counseling or educational classes, restitution, and regular check-ins over a set period.
Potential benefits: Successful completion generally avoids a formal adjudication and can make a case eligible for expungement sooner, often without the longer waiting periods that apply to adjudicated cases.
Jurisdiction matters: Diversion programs are administered locally, so requirements and availability in Denver may differ from Aurora, Lakewood, or elsewhere in Colorado.

Diversion is rarely offered automatically. Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 to find out whether your child qualifies.

Penalties and Consequences

Possible penalties include fines, probation, community service, treatment programs, detention, and in serious cases, sentencing through the youthful offender system. Beyond court penalties, juveniles can face school suspension or expulsion, loss of employment opportunities, loss of public benefits, and firearm restrictions, consequences that often outlast the court case itself.

Detention and the Division of Youth Services

Juvenile detention is administered by the Division of Youth Services within the Colorado Department of Human Services. Minors ages 10 through 18 may be held in a secure facility while awaiting a hearing or serving a detention disposition, following a mandatory risk screening. Colorado’s Youth Offender System is a medium-security alternative for youth convicted as adults of qualifying violent felonies, generally for ages 14 through 18. Because Youth Offender System placement follows an adult conviction, it carries a permanent adult felony record, which is why avoiding transfer or direct file whenever possible remains a defense priority.

Juvenile Records and Expungement

Juvenile records are shielded from general public access but remain available to parents, schools, law enforcement, and child protective services. Expungement is not automatic at 18. Some records, including completed diversion and lower-level dispositions, are eligible for automatic expungement within roughly 35 to 42 days. Others require a formal petition after a waiting period of one to several years. Serious adjudications, including class 1 and 2 felonies, crimes of violence, and unlawful sexual behavior offenses, are generally not eligible. Our record sealing and expungement page covers this process further.

What Parents Should Do

If your child is questioned: Invoke the right to remain silent and request an attorney before any interview continues. See our guide to Miranda rights and minors.
If your child is arrested: Contact Wolf Law immediately to determine whether a detention hearing is required.
If your child is suspended or expelled: School discipline can proceed on its own timeline and affect the criminal case, so early guidance matters.
If your child receives a summons: Do not assume the case is minor. Contact an attorney before the court date to explore diversion and defense options.

Call Wolf Law at 720.479.8574 the moment your child is questioned, arrested, suspended, or summoned to court.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age range for juvenile delinquency in Colorado?

Generally 10 to 18, though certain serious cases can result in adult prosecution.

Can my child be tried as an adult?

In narrow circumstances, through direct file or a transfer hearing, both requiring specific age and offense criteria.

Will my child’s record be expunged automatically at 18?

No. Some records expunge automatically after a qualifying event; others require a petition, and some offenses are never eligible.

What happens at a detention hearing?

A judge reviews whether continued detention is necessary, generally within about 48 hours of custody.

Is diversion available for every charge?

No. It is typically reserved for first-time or lower-level offenses, and availability varies by county.

Should my child speak with police or a probation officer without a lawyer?

It is best to have an attorney present before your child answers questions or discusses the allegations.

Can a juvenile record affect college admissions or employment?

Yes, in some circumstances, which is part of why pursuing expungement as soon as your child is eligible matters.

Protect Your Child’s Future Today

A juvenile case moves quickly, and early choices shape whether diversion is offered and whether a record can later be expunged. Wolf Law’s attorneys have represented young clients across Denver, Aurora, and Lakewood through every stage of the juvenile process.

Do not wait to see what happens next. Call Wolf Law today at 720.479.8574 for a free consultation the moment your child is questioned, arrested, or charged.

Featured Blogs

Certifications

Testimonials

APPRECIATION

I would like to place on record the immense appreciation for Ms Colleen Kelly, Partner at Wolf Law LCC. I had an opportunity as a Solicitor to interact with her on behalf of one of my clients in a DV Matter. Her professionalism and knowledge of law is absolutely outstanding. She is extremely honest and straightforward in her legal advice. She always keeps the interest of the client a priority and safe guards the interest of the client at all times. She is an asset to the legal team and adds value with her expertise and knowledge.

— Nirvikar Singh, Advocate Supreme Court of India

True representation

If you are in legal trouble Jeff is the attorney for you!
From the first consultation he was a very understanding and caring guy who tells it like it is. I had a pretty bad charge against me and due to Jeff’s knowledge and his ability to negotiate with the powers that be, he was able to get me a pretty fair deal. He was so kind, putting my mind at ease by telling me I was going to be alright as this was the first time in my life I had ever been in trouble.
In short, if you need a GREAT attorney call Wolf Law and talk to Jeff!

— Sue

6-Month Jail Sentence Reduced to 90 Days

I was arrested in May 2014 for a warrant that I had since 2010 for DUR, I was facing a six month jail sentence that would have caused me to lose my business, home, as well as once again re-offend me. After countless calls and conversations and meetings with numerous attorneys I was referred to Jeffery Wolf. By simply speaking with him over the phone I felt a little at ease, until I met with him and after that I was completely at ease. He made feel the way an attorney is suppose to make a client feel. He was extremely personable, caring, honest, completely honest, and very detailed as to what his process is and what will take place in court.

On the day of my hearing Jeff arrived a little early and had me wait in the hallway while he stepped into the court room and went to bat for me. The result was a 0 point violation allowing me to keep my DL, a six-month jail sentence reduced to 90 days in-home detention, and a $67 fine, which was way more than I expected.

I highly recommend Jeff he is an excellent attorney that takes your case as serious as you do. I hope I never have to hire an attorney again but if I do without a doubt Jeffrey Wolf will be my first and only thought.

— David

Responsive, Insightful, Professional and Compassionate

Jeff is not only great in the courtroom, but has a sense of caring and true passion for his profession. He takes the time to explain things with a productive attitude. I would highly recommend him and can’t thank him enough.

— Mike

I Had a Great Outcome in My Case

Jeff Wolf was recommended to me by a colleague I have known since my youth. Accordingly, I met with Jeff. I also met with other attorneys in the Denver area in preparation for my legal issues. I decided to choose Jeff because I had a good feeling about him from the moment I met him and because his ethics and views regarding the vision for his legal practice were aligned with what I hoped for despite having no experience in the legal system previously.

This decision turned out to be one of the the best I have made in my life…literally. I cannot adequately express here how much Jeff’s hard work, determination, knowledge, professionalism, experience, and clear understanding of what I am certain he has a passion for (helping others beyond just being an attorney and defending clients in court) has meant for me. I think he has exceptional skills. I had a great outcome in my case due to the defense Jeff provided in court.

More importantly however, Jeff helped me manage the emotional and professional stress I felt. Jeff reassured me when I most needed reassurance, and ultimately, transform a situation I initially felt was a life changing event into a learning experience that I was able to navigate successfully through his precise and comprehensive guidance. I would recommend Jeff to any member of my family and certainly to anyone to whom his services would apply.

— C. Jackson

Professional. Attentive. Experienced. Successful.

I was referred to Jeff by one of my friends who was recently represented by Wolf Law in his DUI case; I will be forever grateful for that recommendation. Jeff made this extremely stressful process feel much more manageable from start to finish. He was always responsive and highly communicative, even throughout my barrage of anxiety driven questioning. He was a maestro in the courtroom and was able to get me the absolute minimum penalties. He even got certain areas of my very unique case dismissed – saving me thousands of dollars in the process. While I hope I never have to, I will surely be recommending Wolf Law as DUI representation to any of my friends and family in the future.

— Anonymous

Excellent Attorney

We hired Jeff to take over my son’s case after our first attorney (from another firm) showed up to his first court date late, looking homeless, and worst of all, having absolutely no knowledge of the case. We hired Jeff who did an excellent job explaining the process and how to get the outcomes we were fighting for. My son was facing years in Jail and a class 2 felony on his record as a teenager. He was able to plead the case down to a deferred sentence with no jail time and in record time. The entire process took a little over 6 weeks. When we went to court for my son to accept his sentence, I could tell that a big reason Jeff gets the outcomes he does is due to his professionalism and good working relationships with his colleagues in the Justice system. Thank you, Jeff. I got my first good night’s sleep in a long time last night. I will be forever grateful to you. Thank you so much for helping my son keep his future in his control.

— D

5 Stars

Was super helpful and always available anytime that I reached out. He was thorough and did everything that he could to help me out with my high BAC case. There isn’t a silver bullet out there and you likely won’t be lucky enough that somehow the charges go away, so your best bet is to sit with a consultation with Jeff and get your legal defense going ASAP as you work on the items that you can control (education/therapy/MADD panel) and let him handle the court items

— Casey

Outstanding, professional and easy to work with

I had the privilege of working with Colleen and Jeff at Wolf Law, and they exceeded every expectation I had. From the very first conversation, both attorneys were incredibly responsive, clear, and genuinely invested in my situation. They explained everything in plain English, kept me updated at every step, and fought hard to get the best possible outcome for me.

Their professionalism, attention to detail, and calm guidance through what could have been a very stressful process made all the difference. I truly felt like I had a dedicated team on my side, not just another law firm.

I would and will recommend Wolf Law without hesitation to anyone in need of trusted, skilled legal representation in Colorado. Thank you both!

— Eric R.

My Experience with Wolf Law

I am nothing but pleased with the service, trustworthiness, advice, compassion, and hard work that Wolf Law has provided me with. My case lasted for about six months in 2019. I had charges regarding the developing laws concerning marijuana in Colorado. Originally I wasted four months with a lawyer who made the already stressful and unfortunate situation ever more challenging and miserable. It was a blessing to meet Jeff! He was able to reach a resolution with the Colorado Springs DA that would allow me to have a chance in the future. Every step of the way he was patient, present, persistent, and a pleasure to work with. I drove all the way from Colorado Springs to find a lawyer that would fight for justice to the best of their ability and Jeff Wolf was that person – a person who cares about his clients and their lives. He did his job without judgment and exuded understanding and encouragement throughout. It is difficult to find people who are willing to genuinely help others and keep them positive. My hope is that if you find yourself in a situation where you are seeking legal counsel, please give Jeff’s firm a call. I cannot thank him enough for his kindness and work through this difficult time.

— S.M.