Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney in New Orleans

My child was arrested. What should I do right now?

Right now, the most important things are to keep your child from talking about the case and to call a defense lawyer. Parents are usually the ones who call us, and that call often comes in the middle of the night. That is fine. We answer 24/7 at (504) 905-8399.

• Tell your child not to answer questions about what happened without a lawyer, whether from police, school staff or anyone else.
• Do not let your child post or text about the incident. Messages and social media posts often end up as evidence.
• Do not discuss the details on a jail or detention phone. Those calls may be recorded.
• Gather paperwork: any summons, citation, police report number, school notices and the names of officers involved.
• Write down what you know while it is fresh: times, places and who was there.

You know your child better than anyone. We will listen to you, explain what comes next, and start protecting your child's future right away.

Will my teenager go to juvenile court or adult court?

It depends mostly on your child's age on the date of the alleged offense. Louisiana changed this rule recently, so information you find online may be out of date.

• Age 17: Since April 2024, all 17-year-olds are prosecuted as adults for any offense, including misdemeanors. Louisiana's 2016 Raise the Age law had moved 17-year-olds into juvenile court, but the Legislature reversed it in 2024.
• Under 17: Cases generally begin in juvenile court. For older juveniles charged with certain serious felonies, prosecutors can seek to transfer the case to adult court.

In March 2025, Louisiana voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have widened adult prosecution of 15 and 16 year olds. About 66% voted no. The rules for this age group can still change, so we track every update that may affect your child.

If there is any chance your child's case could be moved to adult court, call a lawyer immediately. What happens early can affect whether the case stays in juvenile court.

Which court will hear my child's case?

Orleans and Jefferson Parishes each have their own juvenile court, separate from the adult criminal courts.

• Orleans Parish Juvenile Court, 1100-B Milton Street, New Orleans, LA 70122. It handles delinquency cases (when a child is accused of breaking the law) as well as dependency cases for New Orleans.
• Jefferson Parish Juvenile Court, listed at the Juvenile Justice Complex, 1546 Gretna Blvd., Harvey, LA 70059. It handles juvenile matters for Kenner, Metairie, Gretna, Harvey, Marrero and the rest of Jefferson Parish. Always check the exact address and courtroom on your child's paperwork.

A 17-year-old's case goes to the adult courts instead. In New Orleans, that usually means Orleans Parish Criminal District Court at 2700 Tulane Avenue. In Jefferson Parish, felonies go to the 24th Judicial District Court in Gretna, and many misdemeanors go to the First or Second Parish Court.

If your child's case is in St. Tammany, St. Charles, St. Bernard or another nearby parish, call us and we will tell you where it will be heard and what to expect.

How is juvenile court different from adult court?

Juvenile court focuses more on rehabilitation than punishment, but the outcomes are still serious. A juvenile case can lead to probation, court-ordered programs, or time in a juvenile facility.

A juvenile case may be handled in several ways:

• Informally, without formal charges, in some minor cases
• Through diversion, where your child completes a program and the case can be closed
• By formal prosecution in juvenile court
• By transfer to adult court, in some serious felony cases involving older juveniles

Judges can also order things like curfews, counseling, community service or school attendance requirements. Juvenile records are generally confidential, but they do not simply disappear. Schools, courts and some agencies may still see them. Having a lawyer early gives your family more control over which path the case takes.

My 17-year-old was charged as an adult. What does that mean?

It means your child's case will be handled exactly like an adult's: adult court, adult procedures and an adult criminal record if convicted. Many parents do not learn this until after the arrest.

• Seeing a judge: An arrested person must be brought before a judge within 72 hours, not counting weekends and holidays, where bail can be set. See bail and bond hearings.
• Adult penalties: The same penalty ranges apply as for any adult.
• An adult record: A conviction can show up on background checks for college, jobs and the military.
• Second-chance options: Adult tools like an Article 893 or 894 deferred sentence may let an eligible first offense be set aside, and adult expungement rules apply.

We know how to present a 17-year-old to an adult court as what they are: a young person with a future worth protecting.

What juvenile charges do we defend?

We defend young people facing a wide range of charges, including:

• Theft or shoplifting. A split-second decision should not follow them forever. See theft charges.
• Assault or school fights. Fights happen fast. We help the court see the full story, not just the charge.
• Trespassing or property damage. Peer pressure, boredom or curiosity can turn into charges. We put mistakes in context.
• Vandalism or graffiti. We push for real solutions, not just punishment.
• Underage drinking or drugs. Experimenting does not make someone a criminal. See drug charges.
• Car break-ins or joyriding. Even if no harm was meant, these charges carry weight.
• More serious allegations, including violent crime, weapons and sex offense charges.

How does a former juvenile court prosecutor help your child?

Barry S. Ranshi has stood on the other side of juvenile court. As an Assistant District Attorney in Orleans Parish, he served as first and second chair trial prosecutor in numerous felony cases in juvenile court.

That experience helps your child in practical ways. Barry knows how prosecutors decide which cases to push and which to divert, and what information can change their minds. He knows what a judge wants to hear about a young person's school, family and plans. And he knows how to prepare a case for trial when that is what it takes.

Before becoming a prosecutor, Barry worked as staff attorney to an Orleans Parish Criminal Court judge. He later served as a public defender in the 17th JDC Public Defender's Office. He grew up in the New Orleans area and treats every family who calls as a neighbor.

Can my child's record be cleared later?

Often, yes. Many juvenile cases in Louisiana can be expunged or sealed after the case is complete, giving your child a cleaner start as an adult.

Eligibility depends on the charge, how the case ended and whether your child has had other cases. A dismissal or a successful diversion usually puts your child in a much stronger position than a formal finding. That is one more reason the early decisions in a case matter so much.

For a 17-year-old charged as an adult, adult expungement law applies. A misdemeanor conviction can generally be expunged after an Article 894 set-aside or after a waiting period of more than 5 years with no felony conviction. A felony generally requires an Article 893 set-aside or a 10-year wait, and some offenses can never be expunged. We review eligibility with every family at the end of the case and walk you through each step.

What happens in a juvenile case, step by step?

1. Consultation. We talk with you and your child, review the charges, and explain your options. It is free and confidential.
2. Gathering records. We collect police reports, video, witness statements and school records, and start building a response.
3. Talking with prosecutors. We contact the district attorney early to discuss diversion or other alternatives to formal prosecution.
4. Court appearances. Your child will likely appear in court at least once. We are there for every hearing and explain each step.
5. Disposition or alternative resolution. If the case reaches sentencing, we push for outcomes focused on growth, like counseling, community service or classes.
6. Record review. When the case ends, we look at whether your child's record can be cleared, so they can move forward.

Call (504) 905-8399 to get started. We can meet in person in Kenner or remotely.