Franklin County Juvenile Court Defense Attorney
A juvenile delinquency charge can follow your child for years. Attorney John P.M. Rutan fights to protect your child's record, their future, and their freedom.
Court Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Jurisdiction
Delinquency, unruly, dependency, neglect, and abuse cases involving persons under 18 in Franklin County.
Juvenile Charges We Defend
In Ohio, juveniles under 18 are charged with "delinquency" rather than crimes — but the consequences are very real. A delinquency adjudication can affect college admissions, employment, military service, and in serious cases, a juvenile can be tried as an adult.
Common Juvenile Charges
- Theft and shoplifting
- Drug possession and paraphernalia
- Assault and fighting
- Vandalism and criminal damaging
- Underage OVI / DUI
- Disorderly conduct
- Trespassing
- Receiving stolen property
Serious Juvenile Matters
- Robbery and aggravated robbery
- Felony assault
- Weapons charges
- Sex offenses
- Bindover to adult court (serious felonies)
- Probation violations
- Juvenile detention hearings
- Expungement of juvenile record
Bindover to Adult Court — The Highest Stakes
In serious cases, the prosecution can ask the court to "bind over" a juvenile to adult court, where they face adult criminal penalties including prison. Attorney Rutan fights bindover hearings aggressively — the outcome of that hearing can determine whether your child faces juvenile detention or years in adult prison. Call 614-307-4343 immediately.
Why Juvenile Defense Matters
College & Scholarships
Many colleges and scholarship programs ask about juvenile records. A delinquency adjudication can close doors before your child's life has really begun.
Military Service
The U.S. military conducts background checks that include juvenile records. Certain adjudications can disqualify a young person from serving.
Employment
Background checks increasingly surface juvenile records. Attorney Rutan works to keep your child's record clean — and pursues expungement when eligible.
Avoiding Adult Court
The most critical fight in serious juvenile cases is keeping the case in juvenile court. Attorney Rutan fights bindover hearings with full preparation and expert witnesses.
Protect Your Child's Future
Attorney Rutan is available 24/7. Call immediately after your child's arrest — early intervention makes a difference.
Call 614-307-4343 — Available 24/7