Welcome. Take a Deep Breath. We're Here to Help.

When the Department of Human Services (DHS) or Child Protective Services (CPS) gets involved, your life—and your family’s future—is instantly at risk. Dependency and Neglect (D&N) cases are arguably the most serious legal matters a parent can face, threatening the fundamental right to raise your own child.

This is a crisis. You don't just need a lawyer; you need an aggressive, compassionate advocate who understands the system and is ready to fight to keep your family together.

D&N cases operate on fast, strict timelines, and the burden is high. Our passion lies in making sure your voice is heard and your parental rights are protected against the considerable power of the State.

• Immediate Crisis Response: We provide rapid intervention from the moment of removal or initial contact. We work quickly to understand the allegations and establish a strong defense strategy from the very first court hearing.
• Challenging the Evidence: DHS often relies on reports and limited evidence. We meticulously examine the allegations, challenge flawed investigations, and ensure that every piece of evidence presented is scrutinized for accuracy and legality.
• The Path to Reunification: Our goal is always to achieve safe, swift reunification. We guide you through the requirements of the treatment plan, connecting you with necessary resources while aggressively advocating for your compliance and progress in court.
• Defending Your Rights: If the ultimate threat is the termination of your parental rights, we bring years of experience and fierce dedication to the courtroom, fighting to preserve the most important relationship in your life.

Do not face the State alone. The odds are stacked against you, but with experienced legal guidance, you have a powerful partner in your corner. If you are involved in a Dependency and Neglect matter, time is critical. Contact us immediately to schedule a confidential consultation.

When a young person faces the Juvenile Justice System, the stakes are not just about penalties—they are about the entire trajectory of a life. A charge in Juvenile Court is a crisis, but it is also a critical moment that demands specialized, passionate legal intervention.

We believe that every young person deserves an advocate who sees beyond a single mistake to the potential of their future. Our approach is designed not just to defend against the charge, but to preserve their educational opportunities, their record, and their path to adulthood.

The Juvenile Court is fundamentally different from the Adult Criminal System. It operates with a unique focus on rehabilitation and the "Best Interests of the Child," but it maintains the power to impose devastating consequences.

• Understanding Adolescent Development: We know that a child's brain is not an adult's. We leverage the latest research in adolescent development and neuroscience to argue forcefully that mistakes made during youth should not permanently define adulthood.
• Protecting Their Record: The goal is always to pursue outcomes—such as dismissal, deferred adjudication, or record sealing—that allow the young person to move forward without the lifelong burden of a criminal record. We fight to keep minor charges from becoming major barriers to college, employment, or military service.
• Holistic Advocacy: Our defense goes beyond the courtroom. We investigate the underlying causes—be it trauma, mental health issues, or educational challenges—and advocate for therapeutic interventions and community resources that address the root issues, not just the symptoms.

Your child's future is not a footnote in a court file. It is a promise we fight for with every tool we have. If your child or family is facing the Juvenile Court system, secure an attorney who is not only fluent in the law but deeply invested in the outcome.

Contact us immediately to discuss a vigorous defense plan.

Charney Law PLLC represents individuals facing non-felony, non-violent criminal charges, with a focus on misdemeanor and lower-level offenses that can still carry serious consequences, including jail time, fines, probation, and a permanent criminal record.

We routinely handle matters including, but not limited to:

• DUI / DWAI
• Traffic-Related Criminal Charges
  (including serious traffic violations and habitual traffic offenses)
• Petty Theft & Shoplifting
• Criminal Mischief
• Simple Assault (Third-Degree)
• Minor Drug Possession & Drug-Related Misdemeanors
• Harassment & Disorderly Conduct
• Municipal & County Ordinance Violations

• Probation violation hearings
• Parole violation proceedings
• Motions to modify or terminate supervision
• Compliance and mitigation advocacy

• Fraud-related offenses
• Theft and embezzlement (non-high-dollar cases)
• Forgery and related financial offenses

Although classified as misdemeanors or lower-level offenses, these charges can still result in:

• Jail or work-release sentences
• Significant fines and court costs
• Loss of driving privileges
• Employment and housing consequences
• A lasting criminal record

Our firm approaches these cases with the same seriousness and preparation as felony matters, focusing on early intervention, strategic negotiation, and aggressive courtroom advocacy when needed.