[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"site-shell":3,"site-search-modal-empty-8":171,"page:faq/childrens-court":173,"public-chat-settings":277},{"source":4,"siteName":5,"tagline":6,"contactEmail":7,"contactPhone":8,"contactPhoneTollFree":9,"address":10,"mapsQuery":17,"ratingValue":18,"ratingSource":19,"primaryCta":20,"secondaryCta":23,"chatCta":26,"announcement":30,"google":32,"navigationPrimary":34,"navigationLegal":149},"defaults","Stephen D Aarons","Santa Fe Criminal Defense Lawyer","info@aarons.law","(505) 984-1100","(888) 984-1120",{"street":11,"city":12,"state":13,"stateFullName":14,"zip":15,"full":16},"2019 Galisteo St. Ste H1","Santa Fe","NM","New Mexico","87505","2019 Galisteo Street, Suite H1, Santa Fe, NM 87505-2106","https://www.google.com/maps/place/Stephen+D+Aarons,+Attorney+at+Law/@35.6564853,-105.9549988,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x87220cb8d5a8c3c9:0x331b6810ecf42476!8m2!3d35.6564853!4d-105.9524239!16s%2Fg%2F1tn067lx?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDMyMy4xIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D",0,"",{"label":21,"url":22},"Call Now","tel:+15059841100",{"label":24,"url":25},"Contact","/contact",{"label":27,"url":28,"statusLabel":29},"Start Chat","#start-chat","24/7",{"enabled":31,"text":19,"ctaLabel":19,"ctaUrl":19,"startAt":19,"endAt":19},false,{"analyticsMeasurementId":33,"tagManagerId":19,"searchConsoleVerification":19,"tagManagerAuth":19,"tagManagerPreview":19},"G-XPE216QNM4",[35,127,133,139,145],{"id":36,"group":37,"label":38,"path":39,"externalUrl":19,"openInNewTab":31,"displayOrder":40,"children":41,"groups":42},"primary-1","primary","Cases","/cases",1,[],[43,58,70,82,97,112],{"label":44,"items":45},"DWI & DUI",[46,49,52,55],{"label":47,"path":48},"DWI / DUI 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delinquency cases involving minors under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offense. Juvenile cases follow a legal system that is separate from adult criminal court and emphasize rehabilitation, accountability, and protection of the child's future whenever possible.","Browse FAQ Topics","/faq","compact",{"id":189,"type":190,"displayOrder":131,"payload":191},"disclaimer","rich_text",{"eyebrow":19,"title":192,"paragraphs":193},"Important",[194],"This is general information, not legal advice. If you have an active warrant or an arrest happened recently, call the office as soon as possible.",{"id":196,"type":197,"displayOrder":137,"payload":198},"what-to-do","feature_grid",{"eyebrow":199,"title":19,"description":19,"items":200},"What to do first",[201,205,208,212],{"label":202,"title":203,"description":204},"No questioning","Do not allow questioning without understanding your rights","Parents or guardians generally have the right to be present during police questioning of a minor. Statements made early in a case can have long-term consequences.",{"label":206,"title":206,"description":207},"Preserve confidentiality","Juvenile cases are confidential by law, but informal disclosures—school officials, social media, or third parties—can still affect the case. Limit discussions to trusted individuals.",{"label":209,"title":210,"description":211},"Gather documents","Gather documents and school records","Attendance records, IEPs, counseling history, and disciplinary records may become relevant in Children's Court proceedings.",{"label":213,"title":213,"description":214},"Act early","Juvenile cases move quickly. Early intervention can affect detention decisions, diversion eligibility, and long-term outcomes.",{"id":216,"type":197,"displayOrder":143,"payload":217},"key-things",{"eyebrow":218,"title":19,"description":19,"items":219},"Key Things to Know",[220,224,228,232],{"label":221,"title":222,"description":223},"Separate system","Juvenile cases are separate from adult court","Children's Court is the division that handles delinquency cases involving minors under 18.",{"label":225,"title":226,"description":227},"Less severe","Penalties are usually less severe than adult sanctions","Most juvenile cases do not result in incarceration. More serious consequences are typically reserved for violent offenses or repeat adjudications.",{"label":229,"title":230,"description":231},"Confidential","Records are confidential","Unlike adult criminal cases, juvenile records are not public. Court proceedings are closed, and identifying information is protected by law in most circumstances.",{"label":233,"title":234,"description":235},"Parents role","Parents play an active role","Parents or legal guardians are often required to attend hearings, participate in case planning, and assist with compliance conditions such as counseling, school attendance, or supervision.",{"id":237,"type":237,"displayOrder":147,"payload":238},"faq",{"eyebrow":239,"title":19,"description":19,"items":240},"Common questions",[241,244,247,250,253,256,259,262,265],{"question":242,"answer":243},"What is Children's Court in New Mexico?","Children's Court is the division of the court system that handles delinquency cases involving minors under 18. These cases are governed by juvenile law and are separate from adult criminal proceedings.",{"question":245,"answer":246},"Who is considered a juvenile under New Mexico law?","A juvenile is generally anyone under 18 years old at the time of the alleged offense. One notable exception involves alcohol-related offenses, which can apply to individuals under 21.",{"question":248,"answer":249},"How are juvenile cases different from adult criminal cases?","Juvenile cases emphasize rehabilitation rather than punishment. Proceedings are confidential, terminology differs, and penalties are typically less severe than those imposed in adult court.",{"question":251,"answer":252},"Can a juvenile be treated as an adult?","In limited circumstances, yes. Certain serious or violent offenses, or repeat conduct, may result in adult sanctions. These cases are rare and depend on statutory criteria and judicial findings.",{"question":254,"answer":255},"Can parents be present during police questioning?","Yes. Juvenile law provides additional protections, including the right for parents or guardians to be present during questioning in most situations.",{"question":257,"answer":258},"What kinds of penalties can be imposed in Children's Court?","Possible outcomes include diversion programs, probation, counseling, community service, restitution, or placement in a juvenile facility. The most severe penalties are generally reserved for serious or repeat offenses.",{"question":260,"answer":261},"Will a juvenile case affect my child's future?","Juvenile records are confidential, but outcomes can still affect school discipline, eligibility for programs, and future court involvement. Proper handling of a first case is especially important.",{"question":263,"answer":264},"How quickly do Children's Court cases move?","Juvenile cases often move faster than adult cases. Detention hearings, adjudications, and dispositions may occur on shortened timelines, making early legal involvement important.",{"question":266,"answer":267},"Does my child need a lawyer?","Strongly recommended. Juvenile law is specialized, and a lawyer experienced in Children's Court can help protect your child's rights, explain the process, and advocate for outcomes that minimize long-term impact.",{"id":269,"type":270,"displayOrder":271,"payload":272},"cta","cta_band",6,{"eyebrow":273,"title":274,"description":19,"primaryCtaLabel":275,"primaryCtaUrl":22,"secondaryCtaLabel":276,"secondaryCtaUrl":186},"Need help?","Call our office to discuss your situation.","Call (505) 984-1100","Back to FAQ",{"enabled":31,"followUpEnabled":278,"title":279,"assistantName":279,"eyebrow":27,"description":280,"welcomeHeadline":281,"welcomeBody":282,"inputPlaceholder":283,"statusLabel":284,"suggestedPrompts":285,"form":289,"review":300},true,"Aarons Law Chat","Calm first-step guidance for urgent criminal defense questions.","Tell me what is happening.","Keep it general at first. If the situation is urgent, recent, or someone is in custody, call (505) 984-1100.","Tell us what happened in broad terms. Avoid confidential details for now.","Available 24/7",[286,287,288],"Someone was arrested last night. What should we do first?","Can you explain what happens after a DWI arrest in New Mexico?","I need the office to review this chat and follow up directly.",{"enabled":278,"triggers":290,"headline":296,"description":297,"submitLabel":298,"successMessage":299},[291,292,293,294,295],"contact me","call me","follow up","consultation","talk to a lawyer","Request office follow-up","Share a few details and the office can review the chat and follow up directly.","Send Follow-Up Request","Your follow-up request has been sent to the office.",{"enabled":278,"triggers":301,"threshold":143,"geoPreference":278,"clickTracking":278,"askHeadline":310,"askDescription":311,"positiveHeadline":312,"positiveDescription":313,"negativeHeadline":314,"negativeDescription":315,"reviewSites":316},[302,303,304,305,306,307,308,309],"leave a review","write a review","review","feedback","testimonial","google review","yelp","avvo","How would you rate your experience?","Choose a rating so we can route you to the right next step.","Thank you for the kind words!","Would you mind sharing your experience on one of the review platforms below?","We are sorry to hear that.","Tell us what happened and the office can review it directly.",[]]