Connecticut Office of Chief Public Defender Hartford Juvenile Matters Offices

The Connecticut Office of Chief Public Defender Hartford Juvenile Matters Office is a branch office for the state of Connecticut. It is located in the city of Hartford. In Connecticut, Juvenile Courts handle cases for children under the age of eighteen who have been charged with a crime. This office deals with legal defense matters regarding the Connecticut judicial branch section. Seven is the minimum age to have the capacity to commit a crime and be sent to juvenile court accused of being a delinquent. Delinquent is what the courts call a child who has been accused or convicted of a crime in juvenile court. If you are over the age of 15, any felony charge could be transferred to the adult court. Suppose you are charged with a very serious offense (Class A and some Class B felonies). In that case, your case will be automatically transferred. If you are charged with a lesser felony, the prosecutor can ask the court to move your case to the adult court. You have the right to a hearing before that happens. Sometimes, children are sent to juvenile court for behavior that is not criminal. Status offenses or Family with Service Needs cases to involve behavior like truancy (“skipping school,”) running away and being beyond the control of your parents. Your school, your parents, DCF or the police can file a Family with Service Needs (FWSN) petition to the court and ask that the court work to make you change your behavior. If you have any questions about the Connecticut Office of Chief Public Defender Hartford Juvenile Matters Office, please use the contact information on the right-hand side of the page.