When Are Juvenile Cases Heard in Adult Court?

 Posted on April 10, 2025 in Criminal Defense

 Juvenile court allows for lenient, rehabilitative sentencing for minors who are accused of crimes. However, sometimes, a minor’s right to juvenile court can be waived. When a juvenile is transferred to adult court, the consequences can become much more permanent and severe. If your child has been accused of a serious offense, a Tennessee criminal defense lawyer can provide your family with representation and counsel.

At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we have years of experience in criminal law, and we know how to defend against serious allegations. When you work with our firm, we will explore all possible strategies to minimize the charges against your child.

Age Cutoff

As a child grows older and more mature, the courts may factor that into whether to handle a case in juvenile court or adult court. For defendants aged 16 and older, it is at the court’s discretion to decide whether the charge should be handled in juvenile or adult court. Additionally, a law introduced in July 2024 allows for minors as young as 15 to be tried as adults for organized retail crime or theft of a firearm.

If your child’s case is being considered for adult court, it is important to mount an aggressive defense. At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we can represent your son or daughter in a transfer hearing to keep his or her case in juvenile court.

Murder

Regardless of a child’s age, a murder charge is serious enough to warrant immediate consideration for adult court. When deciding whether to transfer a murder case to adult court, the courts must consider if there are reasonable grounds suggesting that:

• The child committed the alleged crime.

• The child cannot be placed in a mental institution.

• To protect the community, the child must be detained.

In addition to murder itself, a charge of attempted murder can also be taken to adult court. At Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney, we can advocate for your child throughout the legal proceedings, from beginning to end, regardless of whether the case gets transferred.

Other Serious Crimes

Aside from murder, many violent crimes can also be transferred out of juvenile court and into adult court. These crimes include charges of rape, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, and any attempt to commit the aforementioned offenses. A conviction of a felony offense can come with years of incarceration and a permanent criminal record, and so it should be avoided at all costs.

If a child in adult court receives any verdict other than an acquittal or a dismissal, he or she will be treated as an adult for every subsequent offense. With this in mind, you should fight any attempt to transfer a case to adult court.

Contact a Knox County, TN Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Today

Has your child been charged with a crime? If so, Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney is prepared to help in whatever way we can. Our Union County, TN criminal defense lawyer will fight to protect your child’s future, providing legal advice and aggressive advocacy.

If you have any questions about our legal services, do not hesitate to reach out. To schedule a free consultation today, call our offices at 865-281-1000.