If your child has been arrested, accused of an offense, or called in for police questioning, you may be worried about what happens next and how the situation could affect their future. A juvenile case deserves careful attention, even when it involves a first allegation or an incident that initially seemed minor.

Keyser Law, P.A. represents young people facing juvenile allegations in Minneapolis, Stillwater, and throughout Minnesota. Christopher Keyser is an MSBA Certified Criminal Law Specialist who helps families understand the process, evaluates the evidence, and develops a defense focused on protecting the young person’s rights and future.

Call (612) 338-5007 or request a free, confidential consultation. Let us know immediately if your child is detained or has an upcoming hearing.

On this page:

• How a juvenile defense lawyer helps
• The Minnesota juvenile court process
• Possible outcomes and diversion
• EJJ and adult prosecution
• Juvenile records and confidentiality
• What parents can do now

Protecting Your Child’s Rights in a Minnesota Juvenile Case

Juvenile proceedings generally address allegations involving conduct committed before age 18, but the legal path depends on the young person’s age, the offense, and other circumstances. Certain serious cases can involve extended jurisdiction juvenile proceedings or prosecution in adult court.

The juvenile system considers rehabilitation and public safety, but that does not mean an allegation should go unchallenged. The evidence still matters. A defense may involve disputed identification, conflicting witness accounts, messages or recordings that provide additional context, or questions about how police obtained evidence.

Our work may include:

• Reviewing the allegations, police reports, recordings, and other available evidence.
• Advising the young person about police interviews and court appearances.
• Addressing detention and proposed release conditions.
• Evaluating legal challenges and investigating disputed facts.
• Considering diversion or other available resolutions when appropriate.
• Preparing for trial or contested hearings when necessary.

A parent’s support is important, but the attorney’s responsibility is to represent the young person. We explain the family’s role and help everyone understand the decisions that arise during the case.

Juvenile Allegations We Handle

Keyser Law, P.A. provides defense representation for young people facing allegations involving:

• Theft, shoplifting, burglary, and property damage.
• Assault, threats, and other alleged violence.
• Drug offenses and alcohol-related allegations.
• Criminal sexual conduct and related allegations.
• Weapons offenses and serious felony allegations.
• Violations of juvenile probation or court-ordered conditions.
• Cases in which the prosecution seeks EJJ designation or adult certification.

If an incident also involves school discipline, tell us about any scheduled notices or meetings. The school’s process may raise separate issues to consider alongside the juvenile case.

How the Minnesota Juvenile Court Process Works

The exact sequence depends on the allegation and whether the young person is detained. Minnesota’s juvenile delinquency court information provides a general overview, while an attorney can explain the procedures that apply to your child’s case.

Investigation and Charging

A case may begin with a police investigation, a citation, or a prosecutor-filed petition. An accusation by another person does not itself determine whether the government can prove the allegation.

Before your child gives an account to an investigator, seek legal advice about the interview. Do not assume that explaining the situation will necessarily resolve it.

Release or Detention

Some young people are released to a parent or guardian while the case proceeds. Others may be detained, depending on the circumstances and applicable legal standards.

Minnesota law sets specific limits and hearing requirements for continued detention. The rules differ by facility type and circumstances, so a generic “24 to 48 hours” explanation is not reliable. If your child is detained, contact counsel promptly to review the detention and address release.

Initial Hearings and Case Preparation

Early hearings may address the allegations, representation, and other procedural matters. Before admitting an allegation, the young person should understand the rights being given up and the potential consequences.

As the case develops, the defense can review evidence, investigate the facts, raise appropriate legal issues, and discuss possible resolutions.

Trial

In an ordinary juvenile delinquency trial, a judge generally decides whether the prosecution has proved the allegation beyond a reasonable doubt. These proceedings generally do not involve a jury. EJJ prosecutions are different: the young person has a right to a jury trial on guilt.

Disposition

If the court finds the allegation proved or accepts an admission, the case may proceed to disposition. The court determines the appropriate response under juvenile law. The outcome depends on the offense, the young person’s circumstances, and the available legal options.

Possible Outcomes, Diversion, and Rehabilitation

Depending on the case, juvenile dispositions may include probation, restitution, counseling or treatment, supervision requirements, or placement outside the home. Serious cases can carry substantial consequences.

In appropriate cases, an attorney can evaluate whether diversion or another alternative is available. Eligibility and requirements vary by county, program, allegation, and prior history. Diversion is not guaranteed simply because the young person has no prior record.

We consider these possibilities while also examining whether the government can prove its case. A resolution should be evaluated with a clear understanding of its conditions and its effect on the young person’s future.

Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile Cases and Adult Certification

Some serious allegations require attention to two distinct procedures: extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution and certification for adult prosecution.

Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile Prosecution

Under Minnesota’s EJJ statute, qualifying cases can result in both a juvenile disposition and an adult criminal sentence, with the sentence stayed. The stay depends on compliance with the disposition order and not committing a new offense.

EJJ does not mean an adult sentence automatically begins when the young person turns 21. Violations can lead to proceedings to revoke the stay and execute the adult sentence. EJJ designation therefore requires careful consideration of both the immediate case and the consequences of future noncompliance.

Certification for Adult Prosecution

Minnesota’s certification law allows certain felony allegations involving conduct committed at age 14 or older to be transferred for adult prosecution when the statutory requirements are met.

Certification is a separate issue from whether the young person committed the alleged offense. It involves legal standards concerning public safety and whether the case should remain in juvenile court. If the prosecutor seeks certification, defense counsel can evaluate the request, prepare for the hearing, and challenge it where appropriate.

Are Minnesota Juvenile Cases Confidential?

Many juvenile proceedings have restricted public access, but families should not assume every juvenile case is completely confidential. Minnesota law provides public access to hearings and certain records in felony cases involving young people who were at least 16 when the alleged offense occurred.

Restricted public access also does not mean a record disappears at age 18. Record retention, access, and possible sealing depend on the applicable law and the circumstances of the case.

If you are concerned about an existing juvenile record, we can review it and discuss whether relief may be available. Learn more about the firm’s expungement and criminal record sealing services.

What Parents Can Do Now

You do not need to understand the entire juvenile system before asking for help. Start by gathering the information needed to assess the situation:

• Keep any citation, petition, hearing notice, release paperwork, or court orders.
• Write down upcoming hearing dates and scheduled police or school meetings.
• Preserve relevant messages, photographs, and other records you already have.
• Tell the attorney whether your child is detained, on probation, or subject to any contact restrictions.
• Ask for clarification about conditions your child must follow while the case is pending.

Avoid discussing the allegation publicly or posting about it online. Bring questions about contacting witnesses or other involved people to counsel before acting.

Why Choose Christopher Keyser for Juvenile Defense?

Christopher Keyser is an MSBA Certified Criminal Law Specialist who represents clients in Minnesota criminal and juvenile matters. His approach emphasizes preparation, candid advice, and a clear explanation of the choices facing the young person and family.

We look beyond the allegation to understand the evidence, the child’s circumstances, and the options available. The goal is to protect rights while pursuing a resolution that accounts for the young person’s future.

You can review examples of the firm’s case results to learn more about its work. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee an outcome.

Speak with a Minnesota Juvenile Defense Lawyer

If your child is facing an investigation, detention, or juvenile charges, a consultation can help you understand the situation and identify the next steps. Keyser Law, P.A. represents families in Minneapolis, Stillwater, and throughout Minnesota.

Call (612) 338-5007, email chris@keyserdefense.com, or request a free, confidential consultation online. Tell us immediately if your child is detained or a hearing is approaching.