Understanding Arizona Juvenile Delinquency Laws — and How We Help

What’s charged & where it happens:

• Jurisdiction: Most cases go to the Juvenile Court (Pima, Cochise, Santa Cruz, Pinal).
• “Delinquent act”: Conduct that would be a crime if committed by an adult (shoplifting, assault, criminal damage, drugs, trespass, etc.).
• Forums: Diversion (informal adjustment), adjudication (trial), or in rare serious criminal offense cases: adult court (transfer).
• Standard: "Best interests of the minor child," not guilt or innocence.

What the State must prove:

• A specific act;
• The required mental state (intent/knowledge/recklessness) when applicable;
• Identity and admissible evidence (video, witnesses, reports).
• But again, the point from the outset is not guilt and punishment, its "best interests of the minor child."

Common defenses we use:

• Misidentification / unreliable school or neighborhood eyewitnesses
• Suppression issues (school searches / stop & frisk / phone access)
• Lack of intent (roughhousing vs. assault; accident vs. damage)
• Diversion eligibility and mitigation (grades, counseling, restitution)

Penalties / Outcomes:

• Diversion / informal adjustment (no adjudication)
• Consent decree or probation terms tailored to school/home
• Community service, counseling, restitution
• Sealing/Set-aside options later (case-specific; timing and outcome matter)
• Juvenile detention
• Juvenile Intensive Probation (JIPS)
• Juvenile Department of Corrections (JDOC)
  Goal: resolve without long-term consequences and keep doors open for school, sports, and jobs.

What to do right now:

• Don’t let your child discuss the incident with school staff or officers without counsel present
• Preserve texts/video; list witnesses and staff present.
• Bring IEP/504 documents if applicable—they matter at disposition.
• Where school safety orders overlap, see Protective Orders & IAHs
• Call Taylor Law Group right away for a free initial consultation to give your minor child the best opportunity for a positive outcome.