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Juvenile Criminal Law
Juvenile Criminal Law

Lawyer for juvenile criminal law in Vienna

Juvenile criminal law does not focus on punishment, but rather on educating young people and preventing future criminal offences. Nevertheless, criminal proceedings can be very stressful for young people and their families and can have considerable negative consequences. Our law firm is at your side with criminal law expertise, empathy and a clear focus - from the initial interrogation to possible appeal proceedings.
strafverteidigung

When does juvenile criminal law apply?

Juvenile criminal law is governed by the Juvenile Courts Act (JGG) and applies to persons between the ages of 14 and 18 (juveniles) and, in some cases, to young adults up to the age of 21. For underage minors under the age of 14, criminal prosecution is not possible.

The aim of juvenile criminal law is not to deal with criminal offences with mere severity, but to take into account the individual development, environment and maturity of the young person.

The Juvenile Courts Act (JGG) contains numerous special regulations, for example on sentencing and the course of proceedings.

Our services in juvenile criminal law

Our law firm offers young people and their families discreet, personal and professional representation at all stages of the proceedings. Lawyer and criminal defence lawyer Dr. Elias Schönborn takes on the defence of young people on the following charges, among others:

  • Fraud (§ 146 StGB),
  • Fraudulent misuse of data processing (Section 148a StGB),
  • (intentional) bodily harm  (§ 83 ff StGB),
  • Negligent bodily harm (Section 88 StGB) and (grossly) negligent homicide (Section 80 StGB, Section 81 StGB),
  • False evidence (§ 288 StGB) and defamation (§ 297 StGB),
  • Damage to property (§ 125 StGB),
  • Forgery of documents (Section 223 StGB),
  • other selected offences under the German Criminal Code and ancillary criminal laws.

Do you have any questions on this topic or do you need support? Feel free to contact us directly.

Dr. Elias Schönborn

Do you have any questions on this topic or do you need support? Feel free to contact us directly.

Dr. Elias Schönborn
Attorney at Law & Criminal Defense Lawyer

Defence in juvenile criminal law with foresight

Juveniles need special protection in criminal proceedings, clear orientation and a defence concept that secures their future. As a lawyer specialising in juvenile criminal law, Dr Elias Schönborn combines sound expertise with empathy.

We begin by analysing the young person’s personal situation, explaining the special features of juvenile criminal law in a comprehensible manner and developing a tailor-made defence strategy: from the initial police questioning to custody issues and specific investigative activities through to the main trial. In doing so, we consistently examine alternatives to conventional punishment such as discontinuing the investigation or diversion in order to prevent a previous conviction as far as possible.

Successful defence in juvenile criminal law requires more than just knowledge of the law. Decisive factors are the right communication with young people and parents, a feeling for dealing with courts, juvenile court assistance and the public prosecutor’s office as well as appropriate negotiation tactics for the situation.

In a confidential initial consultation, we clarify your questions, examine the prospects of success and determine the next steps – solution-orientated and always with the best possible outcome in mind.

Dr. Elias Schönborn als erfahrener Rechtsanwalt und Strafverteidiger in Wien.
Dr. Elias Schönborn
Attorney at Law & Criminal Defense Lawyer

FAQ

  • 1. What are the penalties under juvenile criminal law?

    Austrian juvenile criminal law has its own system of penalties, which differs significantly from adult criminal law. It is governed by the Juvenile Courts Act (JGG), which applies to young people between the ages of 14 and 18 and also applies in part to young adults up to the age of 21. The legislator primarily pursues an educational and special preventative approach with juvenile criminal law. This means that the main aim is to prevent future offences by taking educationally appropriate measures against the young person in question. The spectrum of possible reactions ranges from diversionary measures to a conviction without punishment to conditional and unconditional custodial sentences.

  • 2 What is the situation with the criminal record extract for juveniles?

    In principle, court convictions are also recorded in the criminal record of juveniles after a conviction has become final. However, if the sentence is a maximum of six months imprisonment / a fine with a maximum of 360 daily rates and the offence was committed before the age of 21, the entry does not appear in an ordinary criminal record certificate; it only remains visible to the courts, public prosecutor's office and police. If, instead of a conviction, a diversion is made (e.g. community service or compensation), no criminal record entry is made at all - only an internal note is made, which does not affect the presumption of innocence. Early legal advice and a targeted defence strategy increase the chance of avoiding a criminal record entry altogether or limiting its consequences in the event of a lenient sentence.

  • 3 What should I do if my child has been reported to the police?

    When a young person is reported to the police, it is a stressful situation for all family members - especially for the parents. It is important to remain calm and seek legal advice quickly. An experienced criminal defence lawyer can check whether preliminary proceedings have already been initiated and whether there is a chance that the preliminary proceedings can be discontinued or settled by diversion. Under no circumstances should a statement to the police be made hastily - the accused have the right to remain silent and this right should be utilised until an experienced lawyer has been called in to support the accused in this exceptional situation. Parents play an important role at this stage in dealing constructively with the criminal proceedings and ensuring that their children are protected from existential risks and offered the help they need in this situation.

Do you need help with juvenile criminal law?

Contact us.

Contact

es.law is your specialised law firm for Criminal Law, Compliance and Investigations. We advise and represent you throughout Austria.

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Schönborn Rechtsanwalt GmbH

Stoß im Himmel 3/11b
1010 Wien