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Juvenile law covers legal issues involving people under 18. In Portland, which is in Multnomah County, most juvenile matters are handled through the Oregon juvenile court system. Juvenile law generally divides into two broad areas - delinquency and dependency. Delinquency deals with allegations that a young person committed a crime or status offense. Dependency focuses on situations where a child may be abused, neglected, or in need of protective services. The juvenile system is designed to emphasize rehabilitation and the best interests of the child, but it still involves formal procedures, rights, and potential consequences ranging from diversion and community-based services to commitment to state custody in serious cases.
People seek a lawyer in juvenile matters for many reasons:
- To protect the constitutional and statutory rights of the child, including the right to counsel, the right to notice of charges, and the right to challenge evidence.
- To explain the juvenile process and options - diversion, informal supervision, formal adjudication, or dependency steps.
- To negotiate alternatives to detention or state commitment, such as community treatment, counseling, or restorative justice options.
- To help secure release from detention, protect school placement and educational rights, or obtain appropriate mental health and substance use treatment.
- To represent parents in dependency cases where custody, visitation, or parental rights may be at risk.
- To pursue sealing or restricting access to juvenile records when eligible.
- To advise on interactions with law enforcement, schools, or child welfare investigators, and to prepare for hearings and appeals.
Key aspects of juvenile law in Portland and the broader Oregon system that are particularly relevant include:
- Jurisdiction and Structure - Multnomah County Juvenile Court handles delinquency and dependency matters for Portland youth. Juvenile courts operate under Oregon statutes and court rules designed for youth cases.
- Focus on Rehabilitation - The juvenile system emphasizes treatment, education, and community-based interventions rather than solely punishment. Disposition options often include probation, counseling, community service, or placement in care depending on case facts.
- Intake and Diversion - Many cases are screened for eligibility for diversion or informal supervision. Diversion programs aim to address behavior without formal adjudication, reducing long-term collateral consequences.
- Detention - Youth may be placed in secure detention if they pose a safety risk, are a flight risk, or for other limited reasons. Detention hearings provide early review of whether continued detention is appropriate.
- Dependency and Child Welfare - Child abuse and neglect reports are investigated by Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare in coordination with county services. Dependency proceedings can result in foster care placement, reunification plans, or termination of parental rights in extreme cases.
- Confidentiality and Records - Juvenile proceedings are generally closed to the public and records are more protected than adult criminal records. Oregon law limits access to many juvenile records and provides procedures for sealing or restricting records in some situations.
- Right to Counsel - Children have the right to legal representation in delinquency and dependency proceedings. If a family cannot afford an attorney, a public defender or appointed counsel will usually be provided for the youth. Parents also often have the right to counsel in dependency matters.
- Transfer to Adult Court - In serious cases, older juveniles may face transfer proceedings or statutory mechanisms that allow prosecution in adult court for certain offenses. Oregon law and court practice set standards for transfer focused on public safety and the youths amenability to treatment.
- Community Programs - Multnomah County operates diversion and restorative justice programs, youth counseling, and probation services that work with the juvenile court to provide alternatives to formal adjudication.
When a youth is detained, law enforcement follows procedures appropriate for juveniles. There is usually an intake screening by juvenile services to determine if detention is necessary. The court will hold a detention hearing quickly to decide whether the youth should remain in custody or be released to a parent or guardian with conditions such as electronic monitoring or curfew.
Juvenile adjudications are not the same as adult convictions, and juvenile records have stronger confidentiality protections. However, some records may still be visible to certain agencies or in specific contexts. Oregon law also offers procedures to restrict or seal juvenile records in many cases. An attorney can explain whether sealing is possible and help with the process.
Diversion is an alternative to formal court adjudication that often includes conditions like counseling, community service, restitution, or educational programs. Diversion may be offered during intake or shortly after an allegation is made. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the youths prior history, and the programs available. A lawyer can advocate for diversion when appropriate.
Yes. Youth facing delinquency charges have the right to counsel. If the family cannot afford a private attorney, the court typically appoints a public defender or other appointed counsel. In dependency cases, both the child and parents may have rights to counsel under certain circumstances. Legal representation is critical because juvenile courts have real consequences for liberty, placement, and education.
Delinquency cases involve allegations that a youth committed a crime or status offense. The state seeks an adjudication and possible disposition. Dependency cases focus on the safety and welfare of a child when abuse, neglect, or parental inability to provide care is alleged. Dependency can lead to protective services, foster care, or family reunification plans. Both types of cases use the juvenile court but follow different goals and procedures.
In some situations involving very serious offenses and older youth, Oregon law allows transfer to adult court or allows prosecution in adult court under certain statutory conditions. Transfer decisions consider the youths age, maturity, the seriousness of the offense, past history, and whether rehabilitation in juvenile court is feasible. These cases are complex and require experienced legal advocacy.
Parents should remain calm, cooperate within legal limits, and seek legal advice promptly. It is important to understand what investigators are asking and to protect legal rights. Parents often can consult an attorney before or during interviews. Documentation of parenting efforts, medical records, school records, and contact information for service providers can be helpful.
Detention is intended to be temporary. State and county procedures require timely hearings to review detention status. Length of detention depends on case specifics, available release options, pending court dates, and case complexity. Lawyers can move the court for alternative placements, expedited hearings, or release conditions that avoid secure detention.
Possible dispositions include dismissal, probation with conditions, restorative justice or diversion programs, community service, counseling or treatment, placement with a relative, foster care, or commitment to state youth custody for very serious matters. The court aims for interventions that address underlying needs and reduce the risk of reoffending.
Oregon law provides processes to limit access to juvenile records in many circumstances, but eligibility depends on the case type, the outcome, and the youths age. Sealing or restricting records often requires filing a petition and meeting statutory criteria. An attorney can evaluate whether you qualify and help prepare the necessary paperwork.
When seeking help in Portland, consider contacting or learning about the following types of organizations and agencies - your attorney can tell you which to contact directly:
- Multnomah County Juvenile Court and corresponding intake services - for information about local court procedures and hearings.
- Oregon Department of Human Services - Child Welfare - for dependency investigations, foster care, and parent services.
- Oregon Youth Authority - for information about youth committed to state custody or long-term placements.
- Public defender offices and juvenile defense organizations - for appointed representation and advice on court rights.
- Legal aid organizations that handle family and juvenile matters - for low-cost or no-cost legal assistance when eligible.
- Court-appointed special advocates - these volunteers sometimes provide courtroom advocacy for individual children in dependency cases.
- Local diversion, restorative justice, and youth treatment programs - for community-based alternatives to formal adjudication.
- School district student services and special education teams - for issues involving school discipline, suspension, or educational rights.
- Mental health and substance use treatment providers who work with youth - for assessments and treatment that courts may consider in disposition planning.
If you or your child is involved in a juvenile matter in Portland, consider these steps:
- Stay calm and gather information - note dates, times, names of officers, case identification numbers, school reports, medical records, and any communications from child welfare or the court.
- Seek legal consultation promptly - contact a juvenile defense attorney or public defender. If you cannot afford a private lawyer, ask the court about appointed counsel or contact local legal aid for eligibility information.
- Attend all court dates and meetings - missing a hearing can result in orders without your input and may worsen outcomes.
- Explore diversion and community resources - ask whether diversion, counseling, or restorative justice is available and appropriate.
- Protect educational and health needs - notify schools and service providers about court dates and work with an attorney to preserve access to education and necessary treatment.
- Keep records and follow court orders - comply with reasonable conditions while working with counsel to challenge any unfair or unnecessary restrictions.
- Ask about sealing records if the case resolves favorably - an attorney can advise on timing and eligibility for restricting access to juvenile records.
This guide provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Contact a qualified juvenile law attorney in Portland to discuss the specifics of your situation and to get help protecting your and your childs rights.
