If the state wishes to try a juvenile as an adult for a crime, they will need to apply to the juvenile court for a “waiver”. A juvenile may be eligible for waiver into adult criminal court provided he or she is at least 15 years old and has committed a serious crime, such as homicide, sexual assault, aggravated assault, first-degree robbery, arson, kidnapping, carjacking, and certain weapons offenses. Because the consequences of a conviction in adult criminal court are far more severe than the outcomes in juvenile court, you need aggressive, experienced legal representation who will fight to keep your child’s case in juvenile court in the event the state seeks a waiver.