Juvenile Law

Families are affected when Oregon Department of Human Services (“DHS”) attempts to assert legal jurisdiction over minor children, based on concerns DHS has regarding the level of care the children are receiving from their parents or other care providers.

At Miller Bradley Law we have experience with juvenile dependency cases and also DHS investigations (prior to a case being filed). In some juvenile dependency cases, DHS’s concerns are unwarranted, and it is advisable to have a contested hearing regarding DHS’s attempt to assert jurisdiction and stay involved.  In other cases, it may be in the parents’ best interests to cooperate with DHS by completing various services, thus addressing DHS’s concerns.  At Miller Bradley Law we follow both strategies, depending on the facts of a specific case and family needs/desires.

A juvenile delinquency case occurs when DHS files a petition in juvenile court alleging that a minor child has engaged in conduct that, if the child was an adult, would constitute a crime under Oregon law.  As in criminal court, the state must prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the child engaged in the alleged conduct to establish jurisdiction in a juvenile delinquency case.  If jurisdiction is established, then, in some cases, a court may grant the Oregon Youth Authority (“OYA”) legal custody of the child. At Miller Bradley Law we review the evidence and provide options to families. We remain on the case from start to finish and, if your child is placed on probation, we remain his or her representative until successfully completion of probation.

If you are seeking counsel for a Juvenile Law Case call our firm today at 800-392-5682.