Juvenile Crimes Attorneys
In Arkansas | Ludwig Law Firm in Little Rock
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Juvenile Crimes Defense Made Simple
A System Forever Changed: Why Arkansas’ Juvenile Laws Are So Unique
In 1998, the nation watched in disbelief when two boys, ages 11 and 13, carried out a deadly school shooting in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The tragedy forced the state to re-evaluate how it treated juvenile offenders.
A team of child development specialists, prosecutors, and legal experts helped craft new legislation — widely regarded as one of the most carefully drafted juvenile justice frameworks in the country.
That framework still shapes how juvenile cases are handled today. It includes:
Additional protections for young offenders
Guardrails against inappropriate adult-court transfers
A stronger emphasis on rehabilitation
Requirements that prosecutors prove a child truly understands the consequences of their actions before seeking adult charges
Understanding these laws — and how to use them to your child’s advantage — is one of the most important roles we play.
Status Vs. Delinquency Offenses
Juvenile cases in Arkansas follow different rules than adult criminal court, but the stakes are still high. The system focuses on rehabilitation more than punishment, yet serious charges can still result in detention, long-term supervision, or, in rare cases, adult prosecution.
Juvenile conduct generally falls into two categories:
Status offenses: Behaviors that are only illegal because of age, such as truancy, curfew violations, underage alcohol or tobacco use, or running away from home. Courts often focus on services and rehabilitation here.
Delinquency offenses: Acts that would be crimes for an adult, such as assault, theft, burglary, vandalism, or drug possession. These can lead to more serious consequences and closer supervision.
In extreme cases involving serious violence or weapons, the State can ask to move a juvenile into adult court. That is where early legal representation becomes critical. At this point, college applications, military enlistment, scholarship opportunities, housing, and even part-time jobs are at stake. But don’t worry – we know the Arkansas Juvenile Court Process inside and out.
We Know the Arkansas Juvenile Court Process
We know that many parents have never stepped foot in juvenile court. We guide families through every step:
1. Police Contact or School Detention
Your child still has Constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent. They are not required to “explain” or “clear things up.” Anything they say can be used against them later.
2. Intake Assessment
A juvenile intake officer decides whether your child is released home or held until a hearing. We intervene immediately to advocate for release.
3. Detention Hearing (Within 72 Hours)
A judge decides whether your child should stay detained. We present evidence about school performance, mental health needs, family support, and safety plans to avoid detention.
4. Adjudication Hearing (The Trial)
The judge must determine whether the State can prove the alleged conduct beyond a reasonable doubt.
5. Disposition (Sentencing) and Services
Probation, counseling, restitution, community service, or — in rare cases — placement with the Division of Youth Services.
6. Record Sealing and Expungement Pathways
One of our biggest jobs is making sure this moment does not follow your child forever.
Juvenile Crimes Defense Lawyers in Little Rock and Across Arkansas
Your child is the most important person in your life. When the phone rings and you learn your son or daughter has been arrested, fear comes first. Then confusion. Then the overwhelming pressure to make the right decisions, fast. At Ludwig Law Firm, we meet families in these moments with one thing they need most: non-judgmental support.
Children make mistakes. They act impulsively. They fall into peer pressure. They can also be accused of things they did not do. Whatever the situation, your child deserves a defense team that treats them as a whole person, rather than just another case file.
Our juvenile crime defense lawyers serve Little Rock, Conway, Pine Bluff, and across Arkansas. With over four decades of trial experience, we help families protect their child’s record, preserve their future, and navigate a system that can feel cold and unforgiving.
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Our Approach: Protect the Child, Protect the Family, Protect the Future
1. Preventing Adult Transfer
Adult court is the greatest danger in a juvenile case. We prepare immediately for transfer hearings by showing:
Your child’s capacity for rehabilitation
Their school record, home support, and counseling history
Why services in the juvenile system fit their needs
We push back hard when prosecutors try to remove a child from the juvenile system.
2. Expungement Strategy From Day One
Families often don’t realize this, but your child's pathway to sealing their record starts before the case is even resolved. We structure the defense with long-term outcomes in mind — not just the next hearing.
3. Parental Guidance and Support
Juvenile cases are emotional, confusing, and fast-moving. We help parents:
Understand each hearing
Know what to expect from probation
Gather records and letters that help the case
Communicate effectively with counselors, schools, and officers
Avoid missteps that can harm the child’s future
We treat parents as partners, not bystanders.
4. Non-Judgmental, Child-Centered Representation
We believe in second chances. Your child deserves to be heard, supported, and defended with respect.
Types of Juvenile Cases We Handle
School fights, threats, and bullying allegations
Assault or battery among minors
Shoplifting, burglary, vandalism, trespassing
Drug and alcohol cases (including underage DWI/DUI)
Truancy, running away, curfew violations, ungovernability
Online allegations involving social media or messaging
Sexual conduct allegations between minors
Whether your case begins in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, or another Arkansas community, our goal is the same. We want to protect your future, and we do it by aggressively defending our clients with a combination of serious legal knowledge and strength, offering affordable defense options that open the door to more people.
For example, one client said of our service, “You don’t want to cheap it up when it comes to great legal defense, and honestly, [Harry and Kale] were more than fair and offered a payment plan that was affordable.”
Ready To Talk to a Juvenile Crimes Lawyer Now? Call to Book Your Free Case Review and speak with Kale Ludwig immediately.
Ludwig Law Firm’s Strategic Advantage
We have taken juvenile cases to trial for over 43 years, and that depth of experience shapes everything we do. We prepare every case like it may go to trial because preparation changes outcomes — even in cases that resolve through diversion.
When a case demands additional aggressive representation, we often partner with Harry Warden of Warden Law Firm, one of Arkansas’s most fearless trial lawyers. Together, we provide a defense that blends compassion and courtroom power.
Why Hiring a Lawyer Fast Matters
Juvenile cases move fast. Early intervention helps secure release, avoid adult charges, and protect your child's record. If your child is facing allegations, call Ludwig Law Firm at 501-838-4043 or visit our criminal defense page.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this page is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as legal advice. Reading this page or interacting with Ludwig Law Firm through this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every legal case is different, and you should not act or rely on any information here without first consulting a licensed attorney about your specific situation.
Ludwig: Law Made Simple
If you want to see different ways we can help you, take a look at our blog, Law Made Simple! Here, we break down ways to protect your rights, highlight recent clients wins, and provide commentary on the impact of current events on the legal landscape.
Frequently asked questions
Will my child’s juvenile record follow them into adulthood?
In many cases, juvenile records can be sealed or limited, but certain findings and serious offenses may still have long-term effects. The exact impact depends on the charge, the outcome, and whether your child qualifies for record relief later.
Do we really need a lawyer if this is our child’s first offense?
Even first-time allegations can affect school, scholarships, and future opportunities. Many families choose to work with a lawyer early so they understand their options and avoid consequences that are difficult to undo later.
Can my child be tried as an adult in Arkansas?
In rare situations involving serious or violent felony allegations, the State can ask a judge to move a juvenile case into adult court. Age, prior history, and the nature of the alleged offense all factor into that request.
Will my child have to go to a detention facility?
Not every juvenile case results in detention. Judges consider risk, history, and the nature of the allegations. A defense attorney can present information that supports release, supervision at home, or community-based options instead of secure placement.
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