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.
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.
