ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
Juvenile Drug & Alcohol Defense | Haskell & Dyer
A Drug or Alcohol Charge Is Often a Sign to Get Help, Not a Reason to Brand Your Child.
Possession, underage drinking, and related charges usually respond well to treatment and counseling. We push for the path that addresses what is really going on, without leaving a conviction on your child's record.
For Parents
The system has room to help your child, if you use it early.
Maryland's juvenile system often treats drug and alcohol cases as a chance to intervene, not just to punish. That means counseling, treatment, and diversion are frequently on the table, and many of these cases can end without a conviction at all. The right steps now can protect both your child's record and their wellbeing.
A Different Lens
Treatment Often Beats Punishment
For a young person, the goal is to address the cause, not to attach a record. The juvenile system is built to allow that.
The Opportunity
Counseling and Treatment
Where substance use is part of the story, programs like counseling, education, and treatment can resolve the case while actually helping your child, instead of just marking their record.
The Outcome
A Path to No Conviction
Many first-time drug and alcohol cases can be handled through diversion or informal adjustment, ending without a formal finding and with the record kept clean.
What We Handle
Common Juvenile Drug & Alcohol Charges
From a first citation to a more serious allegation, we handle the full range.
Marijuana possession
Possession of other substances
Underage drinking
Possession of alcohol by a minor
Paraphernalia
Fake ID charges
Possession at school
Distribution allegations
What's at Stake
Why It Still Needs a Careful Response
Even a help-focused system can leave consequences if the case is not handled well.
Record
A juvenile record that can affect later opportunities
License
Possible effects on your child's driving privileges
School
Discipline that can run alongside the court case
Future
Questions on college, job, and military applications
How We Defend a Juvenile Drug or Alcohol Case
We protect your child's record while steering toward the help that actually fits the situation.
We Pursue Treatment Paths
Where substance use is involved, we push for counseling and treatment options that resolve the case constructively.
We Challenge the Search
Searches of students, cars, and bags still have rules. If the search was improper, the evidence can be challenged.
We Seek Diversion
For first-time cases, we work toward diversion or informal handling that ends without a formal record.
We Protect the Record
We aim for outcomes that can later be expunged, so this does not follow your child into adulthood.
Common Questions
Juvenile Drug & Alcohol Charges, Answered
Can my child get treatment instead of punishment?
Often, yes. The juvenile system frequently favors counseling, education, and treatment over punishment for drug and alcohol cases, especially first ones. We push for the path that addresses the underlying issue and resolves the case without a conviction where we can.
Will this stay on my child's record?
Not necessarily. Many first-time drug and alcohol cases can be handled through diversion or informal adjustment that avoids a formal record, and juvenile records can often be expunged later. Getting involved early keeps those options open.
The school searched my child and found it. Is that allowed?
It depends on how the search happened. Schools have some leeway, but searches of students, bags, and cars still have limits. If the search crossed the line, the evidence can be challenged, which can change the whole case.
Could an underage drinking charge affect my child's driver's license?
It can, in some situations. Certain alcohol-related juvenile offenses can carry effects on driving privileges. We will tell you whether that risk applies to your child's case and work to limit it where the law allows.
Should my child talk to police about what they used or had?
Not before talking to a lawyer. Kids often try to be honest and end up giving the State its case. The best step is to stay quiet, avoid statements, and call us so we can protect your child and guide what happens next.
Is Your Child Facing a Drug or Alcohol Charge? Let's Find the Right Path.
These cases often respond best to treatment and counseling, and many can end without a conviction. Tell us what happened and get an honest read on the options. The first conversation is free.
Need us after hours? Call our 24/7 line: 240-687-0179