Juvenile Offenders in Cherokee County

In the Canton or greater Cherokee County area, if you are charged with a traffic offense or the offense of drinking and driving ( DUI ), you will go to arraignment in the state Court of Cherokee County in downtown Canton or to a municipal court.  However, if you are under the age of 17, a juvenile court has jurisdiction.  Typically, crimes such as minor in possession of alcohol, marijuana possession, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, criminal trespass, affray, and public drunk are handled in the juvenile court for offenders under 17 and are afforded the protections of juvenile court.  Juvenile court is confidential, and after two years upon the completion of ones sentence, you can file a motion to have the records sealed.  Traffic offenses such as DUI are a little trickier as they involve ones Department of Driver Services (DDS) records, which do not differentiate between juvenile and adult offenders.  Contact the Law Office of Canton / Cherokee County DUI attorney Richard Lawson to discuss your specific situation. 

For offenders over age 17, but under age 21, you face DUI and minor in possession charges, but they are in the regular Cherokee County state and municipal court system.  Even a very low amount of alcohol, .02 grams, will qualify an underage driver as having an unlawful blood alcohol level.  Canton, GA DUI lawyer Lawson can help you get the best possible outcome for your charges and navigate complicated drivers license issues for underage drivers.  Call today for a consultation.