Kansas City Juvenile Crimes Attorney
Please note: Sandage Law LLC does not represent clients or handle cases in juvenile court. This page is provided for informational purposes only. If you are the parent of a young person whose case has been transferred to adult court, our firm handles adult criminal defense and may be able to help.
In Missouri and Kansas, prosecutors can seek to try a juvenile as an adult when the offense is serious enough to warrant it. When that happens, your child faces the full weight of the adult criminal justice system, including adult sentencing, detention, and a permanent criminal record.
At Sandage Law LLC, our Kansas City criminal defense attorneys have more than 60 years of combined experience defending adults facing serious charges in federal and state court. If your son or daughter has been transferred to adult court, we are ready to help. Call (816) 753-0800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Why Kansas City Families Turn to Sandage Law LLC
When a juvenile case moves to adult court, the margin for error disappears. You need a defense team that communicates clearly, moves quickly, and knows how to fight in the courts where your case will actually be decided. At Sandage Law LLC, that is exactly what we bring to every client we work with.
Our attorneys have more than 60 years of combined criminal defense experience, including significant federal and white collar defense work that many criminal defense firms simply do not have. That background matters in adult court, where prosecutors are experienced, the procedural rules are strict, and the consequences of a conviction are permanent.
Here is what sets our firm apart:
- Personal connection: We take the time to understand your family’s situation, not just the charges on paper.
- Direct communication: You will always know where your case stands and what comes next.
- Outcome-driven representation: Our goal in every case is the best available result, whether through litigation or negotiations.
When your child’s future is at stake in adult court, the quality of the defense representation makes a real difference. Our criminal defense attorneys know how federal prosecutors and state district attorneys think, and we use that knowledge to pursue the most favorable outcome possible.
When Juveniles Face Adult Criminal Charges
Missouri and Kansas both have mechanisms that allow, and in some cases require, prosecutors to try juveniles as adults. In Missouri, a juvenile court judge can certify a defendant 12 years or older to stand trial as an adult for certain felonies. Kansas law allows juveniles 14 years of age or older to be prosecuted as adults when the offense is serious enough to warrant prosecution under adult standards.
Not every investigation leads to a criminal charge, and not every juvenile case results in a transfer. However, when a transfer does occur, the consequences are severe and long-lasting. A conviction in adult court can follow a young person for the rest of their life, affecting employment, housing, education, and civil rights.
Charges That Can Land a Juvenile in Adult Court
The offenses most likely to trigger an adult prosecution are serious felonies. In both Missouri and Kansas, charges that commonly result in transfer include:
- Murder and attempted murder
- Rape and sexual assault
- Armed robbery and aggravated robbery
- Carjacking
- Aggravated assault and battery
- Weapons offenses involving firearms
- Drug trafficking and distribution
- Gang-related offenses
- Burglary and arson
- Human trafficking
What Adult Court Means for a Juvenile Defendant
A juvenile tried as an adult is no longer entitled to the protections and dispositions of the juvenile system. Instead of a juvenile disposition focused on rehabilitation, the defendant faces:
- Adult sentencing ranges, including mandatory minimums
- Potential placement in an adult correctional facility
- A permanent adult criminal record
- Sex offender registration if the charge involves a qualifying offense
- Collateral consequences, including loss of voting rights, firearm rights, and eligibility for federal financial aid
FAQ: Juvenile Cases in Adult Court
Can a Judge Send a Child Back to Juvenile Court After a Transfer?
In some cases, yes. Missouri allows a certified defendant to petition the court for decertification under certain circumstances. Whether that is a viable option depends on the facts of the case, the stage of the proceedings, and the nature of the charges. An attorney familiar with both systems can assess whether decertification is worth pursuing.
Does a Juvenile Conviction in Adult Court Stay on the Record Permanently?
Yes. Unlike a juvenile court adjudication, which may be eligible for expungement, a conviction in adult criminal court creates a permanent adult criminal record. Expungement of adult convictions in Missouri is possible under Mo. Rev. Stat. § 610.140 in limited circumstances, but it is not guaranteed and depends heavily on the offense.
Will a Child Go to an Adult Prison if Convicted?
Not necessarily immediately. Missouri has provisions for housing younger defendants in juvenile facilities until they reach a certain age, after which they may be transferred to adult custody. The specifics depend on the sentence and the defendant’s age at the time of sentencing.
Contact Sandage Law LLC About Adult Criminal Defense in Kansas City
If your child’s case has been transferred to adult court, you need a defense attorney who understands both the federal and state systems and who will fight for the best possible outcome. At Sandage Law LLC, we do not handle juvenile court cases, but our team is prepared to defend adults, including young adults prosecuted in adult court, in proceedings across the Kansas City region. Call us at (816) 753-0800 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation with our Kansas City criminal defense attorneys.