It is imperative to understand that the role of intake hearing is to identify particular aspects of the case, accusations, and all parties that are relevant. However, many view it as a critical stage, and it may not be an easy task to decide if the presence of a lawyer is necessary.
It is necessary to understand that a defense attorney would get a lot of valuable information during the intake hearing, and would have a better understanding of a particular case and expectations of the client. Moreover, the presence of a lawyer can be viewed as incredibly beneficial because it helps to establish relationships. Also, it is necessary to understand that the advice that is offered by an attorney may be vital in some cases, and he or she may suggest if it is reasonable to accept recommended disposition (Siegel & Welsh, 2014). Another benefit of defense attorney being present is that many courts would let the arrangement to be waived. However, the problem is that some of the information may be missed, and it could lead to numerous complications. Another aspect that should not be disregarded is that it is advised that an individual pleads not guilty during the process because this claim can be changed later. On the other hand, an experienced lawyer may recommend accepting the charges in some cases because it is a significant legal step. Also, it is imperative to note that a defense attorney will guide an individual through the whole process, and would help to make sure that all the decisions are made promptly and no time is wasted.
The issue is that some of the judges may not appreciate the fact that defense attorney is present, and it may affect the judgment. It is understandable that many may view this stage as not critical, but some of the information that is gathered during intake hearings may be used against a defendant, and an attorney would help to ensure that no complications are introduced. Another issue that should not be overlooked is that it may be reasonable to get an understanding of the case before hiring an attorney because it may be wise to find a lawyer that is experienced in such cases and would be capable of helping in such situations. Moreover, it is understandable that some of the services may be incredibly expensive, but a well-being of a child is of utmost importance. One of the core factors that should not be disregarded is that the case may be dismissed depending on the situation, and a consultation with a defense attorney would help to ensure that no issues occur during informal probation. Also, it is important to understand that an officer will be able to determine if it is necessary to detain an individual with a set of questions, and the support that is offered by the lawyer may be incredibly important.
In conclusion, the decision to have an attorney at an intake hearing may be regarded as reasonable because it has numerous advantages. Moreover, it is necessary to understand that the role of lawyers in juvenile cases has been increasing over the years because the system is much stricter than it used to be, and a lot of attention should be devoted to every single stage of the process (Shoemaker, 2013).
References
Shoemaker, D. J. (2013). Juvenile delinquency. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Siegel, L. J., & Welsh, B. C. (2014). Juvenile delinquency: theory, practice, and law (12th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.