Juvenile Defense Attorney in Boston

Finding out that your child has been arrested or is facing a juvenile charge in Massachusetts is shocking and frightening. You may be told to appear in Boston Juvenile Court or another juvenile session, often with very little explanation. You need clear guidance and a steady, experienced juvenile defense attorney in Boston.

I am Brad Bailey, a criminal defense attorney whose practice has spanned five decades as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. I previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County and Middlesex County and as an Assistant United States Attorney in Boston. At my firm, I represent juveniles and young people in Boston and across Massachusetts, with direct involvement in defense strategy and key court appearances. You don’t have to try to navigate this alone.

At Brad Bailey Law, I offer free, confidential consultations and am available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call (617) 500-0252 or reach out online to discuss what happened and what may come next.

Common Juvenile Offenses Handled in Boston

While every case is unique, juvenile courts hear a core range of allegations involving minors. I provide defense for young people accused of property, violent, drug, alcohol, public-order, cyber-related, and weapon offenses. The legal significance of an allegation depends on the statute charged, the available evidence, the child’s age, the alleged conduct, and any prior court involvement.

Juvenile allegations I handle include:

• Property Crimes: Shoplifting, larceny (theft), and “tagging” or vandalism (malicious destruction of property) are common charges. These cases may arise from alleged retail theft, peer conflicts, or property damage at school or elsewhere.
• Assault and Battery: Fights at school, at home, or in public spaces can quickly lead to criminal complaints. The evidence may include witness accounts, video recordings, medical records, and statements attributed to the young person.
• Drug and Alcohol Offenses: Allegations may involve underage alcohol possession, possession of a controlled substance, or possession with intent to distribute. Search and seizure issues can be important when police recover alleged contraband from a backpack, vehicle, phone, or shared space.
• Public-Order Offenses: Charges such as disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, and trespassing may follow interactions between police and groups of young people in public spaces.
• Cyberbullying and Harassment: Criminal harassment and stalking allegations may involve social media posts, text messages, photographs, location data, or other digital communications.
• Weapons Charges: Allegations involving a knife, mace, firearm, or another claimed dangerous weapon require close analysis of possession, knowledge, intent, the location of the incident, and the circumstances of any search.

Delinquency Complaints & Youthful Offender Cases

Massachusetts juvenile cases use distinct terminology and procedures, but they can still carry serious legal consequences. Under Massachusetts law, a delinquent child is generally a child between ages 12 and 18 who’s accused of committing an offense against a Massachusetts law, subject to statutory exceptions. Most cases begin with a delinquency complaint rather than an adult criminal complaint.

Juvenile cases generally fall into two categories:

• Delinquency Complaints: These involve conduct that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult, such as shoplifting, drug possession, malicious destruction of property, or assault and battery. Possible dispositions depend on the charge, evidence, court history, and individual circumstances.
• Youthful Offender Indictments: A youthful offender is generally a person between ages 14 and 18 who is accused of an offense punishable by state-prison incarceration if committed by an adult and who also meets additional statutory criteria. Those criteria may involve serious bodily harm, specified firearm allegations, or a prior commitment to the Department of Youth Services.

A youthful offender case can expose a young person to juvenile, adult, or combined sentencing consequences, depending on the charge, procedural posture, and disposition. I evaluate whether the facts and available legal arguments support keeping a case within the juvenile delinquency process. My former prosecutorial experience helps me assess how the Commonwealth may view the evidence, charging options, and alleged aggravating circumstances.

Juvenile court isn’t simply an informal process without lasting effects. The possible consequences depend on the allegation, the child’s age and history, the type of proceeding, and the ultimate disposition. I advise families about both immediate court concerns and possible effects outside the courtroom.

Issues that may need to be addressed include:

• Court Supervision or Custody: A disposition may involve probation, counseling, community service, restitution, no-contact conditions, detention, or commitment to the Department of Youth Services. The available options vary by case.
• School Discipline: Under M.G.L. c. 71, § 37H½, a principal may suspend a student charged with a felony or felony delinquency complaint when the principal determines that the student’s continued presence would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. A felony conviction or adjudication can support expulsion under the statute, and the student has appeal rights.
• Firearm Eligibility: Certain juvenile adjudications or dispositions may affect a person’s ability to possess or obtain a firearm. The answer requires individualized analysis of the offense, disposition, and applicable state and federal law.
• Juvenile Records and CORI: Criminal Offender Record Information, commonly called CORI, is governed by rules that differ according to the record type and disposition. Access, eligibility for sealing, and what may appear during a particular review require case-specific analysis. Sealing your CORI may be available in some circumstances.
• Education and Employment: College review, financial aid, military service, professional licensing, government employment, and private background checks may treat juvenile information differently. I consider these longer-term concerns when advising a family.

What Happens in a Boston Juvenile Case

A case may begin with a street arrest, school-related incident, summons, or application for a complaint. The Suffolk County Juvenile Court in Boston handles delinquency and related matters for several Boston neighborhoods, while the Middlesex County Juvenile Court in Cambridge serves Cambridge and surrounding communities.

An arraignment is an early formal court appearance at which the charge is addressed and the court may consider release conditions. Probation officers are often involved before or around arraignment and may seek information from the child or family. Depending on the allegations and circumstances, the court may also consider bail, detention, dangerousness, or probation-related issues.

In some situations, the court may hold a detention hearing to decide whether a child can return home or would be held in Department of Youth Services custody while the case proceeds. Statements to police, school personnel, or probation can affect the defense. A family should obtain case-specific legal advice before the child answers substantive questions about the allegations.

After your child is arrested, summoned, or contacted about an allegation:

• Stay calm in front of your child and avoid pressing for a detailed account before receiving legal advice.
• Ask your child to pause substantive discussions with police, school officials, or probation until counsel can assess the situation.
• Gather any paperwork you received, including summonses, complaints, notices, or school reports.
• Write down the names of officers, witnesses, and school personnel while events are fresh.
• Contact a juvenile defense attorney as soon as possible so you have guidance before the first court date or interview.

When we speak, I explain the specific court handling the matter, the likely next steps, and what your family can expect at upcoming hearings. I also identify information that should be preserved, including messages, videos, photographs, school communications, and witness details.

Former Prosecutorial & Trial Experience

Before I began defending individuals, I served as an Assistant District Attorney in New York County (Manhattan) and as an Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County here in Massachusetts. I later worked in the United States Attorney’s Office in Boston, first with the Organized Crime Strike Force and then with the Drug Task Force.

That history gives me insight into how the Commonwealth and the federal government build and evaluate cases, including matters that may intersect with broader investigations. I’ve handled more than 100 superior court and federal trials and thousands of serious criminal cases. I’ve also been selected to Super Lawyers in 2004, 2006 through 2007, and 2014 through 2025, and have received National Top 100 Trial Lawyer recognition, a 10.0 Superb Avvo rating, and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

For a family in crisis, these credentials aren’t abstract. I use my prosecutorial and courtroom experience to assess investigative conduct, witness credibility, physical and digital evidence, charging strategy, and available defense options. No credential determines the result of an individual case, but substantial trial experience matters when an allegation requires contested hearings or litigation.

How I Defend Juvenile Charges in Boston

My first step is to listen closely to both you and your child, learning about the young person’s background, school history, family support, and any relevant medical or counseling concerns.

I focus not only on the allegations, but also on who your child is and what they’re facing beyond the courtroom. The resulting defense strategy is tailored to the evidence, legal issues, family circumstances, and possible long-term effects.

My juvenile defense approach may include:

• Conducting a Thorough Background Review: I examine your child’s personal history, academic record, support system, and relevant needs to present an accurate, complete picture where that information can help.
• Analyzing How the Case Was Investigated: Drawing on prior prosecutorial experience, I evaluate whether law enforcement respected your child’s rights and whether stops, searches, identifications, or statements can be challenged.
• Testing the Evidence: I examine potential issues such as mistaken identity, incomplete witness accounts, lack of intent, digital evidence problems, unlawful searches, improper questioning, and whether a school incident was unnecessarily converted into a court matter.
• Exploring Alternative Resolutions: When appropriate, I consider diversion, community-based services, treatment options, or structured probation. Availability depends on the charge, the child’s history, the prosecutor, the court, and available services.
• Preparing for Trial When Necessary: If the circumstances call for litigation, I prepare the defense and hold the Commonwealth to its burden of proving the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Considering Long-Term Effects: My recommendations account for how the case may affect education, financial aid, employment, military service, or professional licensing opportunities.

Talk to Me About Your Child’s Defense

A prompt consultation can help your family understand the allegations, preserve important information, prepare for the next court event, and avoid preventable communication mistakes. I represent families in Boston and throughout Massachusetts, and I remain directly involved in defense strategy and key court appearances.

As a juvenile defense lawyer in Boston, I bring a criminal practice spanning five decades, substantial trial experience, and a background as a former state and federal prosecutor to these matters. My goal is to protect your child’s rights and pursue a resolution that accounts for both the immediate charge and the young person’s future.

SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION

Call (617) 500-0252 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation about your child’s situation. Virtual consultations are available, and I can be reached 24 hours a day.