Juvenile Detention Terminated for Philly Client

When a young person is suspected of committing a crime, they may be arrested and incarcerated at a juvenile detention facility while their case moves forward in court.

Of course, being detained can be enormously stressful for teenagers and their families. at Kenny, Burns & McGill, it is always our goal to keep children with their parents while any allegations of illegal activity are investigated. Regardless of the outcome of any pending charges, families should be allowed to support their loved ones throughout the entire process.

Attorney Thomas Kenny recently filed (and won) a motion to release a young client from juvenile detention in Philadelphia. Our young client was charged with several serious crimes, but continues to enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, as is their right under the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Before our firm was hired, the young person was arrested and subsequently incarcerated at the the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center (PJJSC). Since Philadelphia courts have been running behind schedule due to the coronavirus pandemic and several weeks of protests in Center City, our client has been unable to appear before a judge in a timely manner.

Attorney Kenny, an experienced criminal defense attorney and former Philadelphia prosecutor, refused to wait (and wait and wait) for a court date to be scheduled. Instead, he reached out to the Office of the District Attorney to work out a mutually agreeable plan to immediately release our young client for the duration of the case. After securing the approval of the prosecutor, Attorney Kenny filed an Emergency Motion for Release and a judge granted the motion shortly thereafter, without anyone even needing to appear for a hearing.

Needless to say, our client and their family were overjoyed. It can be frightening to have a child locked up in juvenile detention, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. At Kenny, Burns & McGill, we fight for justice every day and do not slow down for anyone.

Do you or someone you know have a friend or child being held in a juvenile detention facility? Do they need high-powered legal representation to protect their innocence? Call us immediately to schedule a free and confidential consultation: (215) 423-5500.