The Only Board-Certified Juvenile Law Specialists in Private Practice in Jacksonville, Florida
When a child is arrested, everything happens fast—and it can feel like the system is stacked against you from the start. The rules are different than adult court, there is no bond, and one mistake can follow your child for years.
At Plata Schott Law, juvenile defense is not a side practice. It is a core focus of our firm.
Attorneys Belkis Plata and Shannon Schott are the only Florida Bar Board-Certified Specialists in Juvenile Law in private practice in Jacksonville, Florida. That means your child’s case is handled by lawyers who have:
Tried dozens of juvenile cases to verdict
Passed a rigorous board certification exam in juvenile law
Been vetted by judges and peers for competence, ethics, and professionalism
When your child is in trouble, you don’t need a lawyer who “also does juvenile.” You need a team built for it.
Juvenile Defense Results
When a child is arrested, the stakes are higher than most people realize. We have successfully defended kids facing serious charges in juvenile court and, in some cases, prevented them from being pushed into adult court.
Here are examples of outcomes we’ve achieved in juvenile cases:
Serious felony reduced or dismissed after suppression of statements or illegal search
No conviction and record protections for a teen facing school-based battery or theft
Avoiding direct file into adult court in high-exposure cases
Favorable plea or diversion that keeps education and future options intact
Why Board Certification Matters in Juvenile Cases
Juvenile court is its own world. The rules, procedures, and outcomes are different from adult criminal court. Too often, children are represented by lawyers who treat juvenile cases as “less serious” or as training ground.
Board certification signals something very different.
To become Florida Bar Board-Certified Specialists in Juvenile Law, attorneys must:
Handle a high volume of juvenile cases over several years
Demonstrate deep knowledge of delinquency and dependency law
Receive recommendations from judges and other attorneys
Pass a challenging written exam focused solely on juvenile law
That expertise is critical when:
The State is pushing for secure detention
The prosecutor is seeking to direct file your child into adult court
School-based arrests, weapons, or serious felonies are involved
Your child’s record, education, and future options are on the line
Juvenile Charges We Defend in Florida
We defend children and teens facing charges such as:
Battery, fights, and school-based arrests
Theft, burglary, and robbery
Weapons and firearm offenses
Drug possession and intent to sell
Vandalism, criminal mischief, and property crimes
Sex offenses and “he said / she said” allegations
Internet, social media, and cyber-related offenses
Violations of probation or court orders
Direct file / attempts to charge a child as an adult
Whether your child was arrested at school, stopped by police in the neighborhood, or picked up on a warrant, we know how to step in quickly and take control of the situation.
What Happens After a Child Is Arrested?
Parents are often shocked to learn:
There is no traditional bond in juvenile court.
A child can be held in secure or non-secure detention after arrest.
A detention hearing usually happens within 24 hours, where the judge decides if the child goes home or stays in detention.
What is said early—by the child OR the parent—can seriously affect the case.
We step in immediately to:
Protect your child from further questioning
Prepare for the detention hearing
Challenge weak or unlawful arrests
Start building a defense strategy from day one
Your Child’s Rights During Police Questioning
Your Child Has Rights. We Make Sure They’re Respected. The second law enforcement starts asking your child questions, the Fourth and Fifth Amendments are in play.
We look at:
Who questioned your child
Where the questioning took place (school, home, station)
Whether your child truly understood their Miranda rights
Whether any statements were voluntary—or pressured
We frequently litigate motions to suppress statements, searches, and seizures when police or school officials cross the line.
Why Parents Turn to Plata Schott Law After a Child’s Arrest
Experts in Child Defense
Juvenile defense is not a side practice at Plata Schott Law—it’s one of the core things we do best.
Attorneys Belkis Plata and Shannon Schott are the only Florida Bar Board-Certified Specialists in Juvenile Law in private practice in Jacksonville, Florida.
Board certification in juvenile law is a rare credential. It means:
Proven experience in a high volume of delinquency and juvenile matters
A rigorous written exam focused solely on juvenile law
Vetting and recommendations from judges and other lawyers
When your child is facing charges, you aren’t just hiring “a criminal defense lawyer.” You are hiring a team with recognized, specialized expertise in defending children and protecting their future.
Our board-certified lawyers are powerful partners in the juvenile system. We know the law, we know the local courts, and we know how to push back when the State overreaches.
Juvenile Justice, Prevention, and Real Solutions
Our Jacksonville juvenile defense attorneys understand more than the courtroom. We see the big picture: school, mental health, peer groups, and long-term opportunity.
In many cases, a smart defense doesn’t just focus on “beating the charge.” It also focuses on:
Connecting kids with counseling, mental health care, or substance-use treatment
Keeping them engaged in school or alternative education programs
Guiding them into positive outlets, activities, or community resources
We don’t believe kids should be defined by their worst moment. Our goal is to protect their rights and position them for better choices going forward.
What Parents and Kids Should Do Right Now
Facing juvenile charges can be overwhelming. Clear steps help:
Do not let your child talk to law enforcement or school police.
Asking for a parent is helpful—but under the law, your child is entitled to an attorney. That right should be invoked immediately.Contact a juvenile defense lawyer right away.
A lawyer experienced in juvenile law can step in quickly to protect rights, challenge unlawful conduct, and prepare for hearings.Understand the charges.
We explain what each charge means, potential consequences, and realistic outcomes so you’re not guessing in the dark.Work closely with your lawyer.
Be honest, stay in contact, and follow legal advice. Showing up prepared and on time for all court dates is critical.Avoid discussing the case with anyone else.
Social media posts, texts, and casual conversations can all come back to haunt a case. Outside of your lawyer, less is more.
Find Serious Juvenile Defense Support
For parents in Jacksonville, the lawyer you hire after a child’s arrest matters. Plata Schott Law provides direct access to board-certified juvenile defense attorneys who understand how this system really works and what is at stake.
We push for outcomes that protect:
Your child’s record
Your child’s freedom
Your child’s education and future opportunities
With us, you’re not left to navigate juvenile court alone. You get a clear plan, straight answers, and a legal team that sees the potential in every young person.
📞 Contact Plata Schott Law to speak directly with a juvenile defense attorney who knows how to handle these cases—and how to fight for your child.
JUVENILE LAW QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Does my child get a bond in juvenile court?
No. There is no traditional bond in juvenile court in Florida.
Instead, there is usually a detention hearing within 24 hours of arrest. The judge decides whether your child goes home, is placed on home detention, or stays in secure detention.
Having a juvenile defense attorney involved before that hearing can make a major difference in how the judge views risk, supervision, and release.
2. Can my child be questioned by police or school officers without me there?
Yes—and it happens all the time. But your child still has constitutional rights.
The problem is that kids often don’t truly understand their Miranda rights or how serious the situation is. They may think they’re just “talking” or “explaining” when they are actually giving statements that can be used against them.
We strongly recommend:
Your child should not answer questions about alleged crimes.
Your child (and you) should clearly ask for a lawyer.
Once you invoke the right to an attorney, questioning should stop. We then step in to protect your child.
3. Will this stay on my child’s record forever?
Not always. Juvenile records can be:
Sealed or expunged in some situations
Protected from public view
Resolved in ways that limit long-term damage
The outcome depends on the charges, prior history, and how the case is handled. One of our goals in every juvenile case is to protect your child’s future—education, work, housing, and more—by minimizing long-term record impact wherever possible.
4. Can my child be charged as an adult in Florida?
In some cases, yes. Florida allows certain juvenile cases—especially serious felonies—to be direct filed into adult court.
That’s one of the reasons having board-certified juvenile defense attorneys matters so much. We know the factors prosecutors look at when considering adult charges and can:
Push back against direct file
Present mitigating information
Advocate for keeping your child in the juvenile system
The earlier we get involved, the better our chances of influencing that decision.
5. What should I do right after my child is arrested?
A few key steps:
Stay as calm as possible. You’ll make better decisions if you’re not reacting out of panic.
Do not let your child speak about the incident to police, school staff, or anyone else.
Ask clearly for a lawyer. Your child is legally entitled to an attorney—not just a parent presence.
Write down what you know: who was involved, what officers said, any witnesses, and any video that may exist (school, cell phones, ring cameras).
Contact a juvenile defense lawyer immediately. Early intervention can affect detention, charges, and long-term outcomes.
6. Do I really need a lawyer who specializes in juvenile law?
If the case is in juvenile court, yes—it is a very different system than adult criminal court.
At Plata Schott Law, Belkis Plata and Shannon Schott are the only Florida Bar Board-Certified Specialists in Juvenile Law in private practice in Jacksonville, Florida.
That means:
Your child’s case is handled by attorneys with proven, tested expertise in juvenile law,
They know the courts, players, and procedures,
And they are recognized as specialists by the Florida Bar.
This is not the place to “see what happens” or use a lawyer who occasionally does juvenile work.
7. How long will my child’s juvenile case take?
It depends on:
The seriousness of the charges
Whether your child is detained or at home
Whether the case goes to trial or resolves through plea/diversion
Some cases resolve in a few months; others can take significantly longer. From the beginning, we map out timelines, explain realistic options, and keep you updated as things move.
8. How much does it cost to hire Plata Schott Law for juvenile defense?
Juvenile defense is typically handled on a flat-fee depending on the complexity and severity of the case. We discuss fees upfront so there are no surprises and explain exactly what is included.
You’re paying for experience, board certification, and trial skill in a system where the consequences for your child can be life-altering.